FUNGAL MICROSCOPY, CULTURE & IDENTIFICATION (DERMATOPHYTES)

NAIL CULTURE: Look for a nail that looks infected. Wipe the nail with an alcohol swab (preferably gauze & not cotton). Scrape the outermost layers with the blunt edge of a scalpel and then submit deeper scrapings for evaluation; alternatively submit • nail clippings from discoloured or brittle parts • deeper scrapings or debris from the underside of infected nail(s) Place the specimen in a dry sterile container and transport to the lab at room temperature. SKIN SCRAPING CULTURE: Clean with alcohol; Scrape advancing edge (e.g. with blunt edge of a scalpel). Place the specimen in a dry sterile container and transport to the laboratory at room temperature. Document affected site; Note appearance; Duration of lesions. HAIR CULTURE: Cut hair is not an ideal specimen since the focus of infection is normally below or near the scalp surface. Look for hair that looks infected and pluck with forceps or gloves or scrape the scalp with a blunt scalpel or toothbrush and collect the basal portion of the hair. Sample should preferably include the hair roots since it is the root of the hair that is usually infected. Aim to collect at least 10 affected hairs. Place the specimen in a dry sterile container and transport to the laboratory at room temperature. Document affected site.