Sensitivities of periodic acid-Schiff staining, Grocott's silver staining and calcofluor white staining in the diagnosis of human sporotrichosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Grocott's silver staining (GSS) and calcofluor white (CFW) staining in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis.

METHODS

Paraffin embedded tissues (n = 100) which were diagnosed with sporotrichosis by fungal culture were subjected to PAS, GSS, and CFW staining, and the detection rate of sporotrichosis was determined.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of PAS, GSS, and CFW staining was 31%, 40% and 74%, respectively, in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis.

CONCLUSION

CFW staining has a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis, and sections are easily observed and can be repeatedly stained after CFW staining. For patients suspected to have sporotrichosis, CFW staining may be employed for early diagnosis before a fungal culture.