Potassium hydroxide mount with cellophane adhesive tape: a method for direct diagnosis of dermatophyte skin infections.

BACKGROUND

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount is a simple and rapid procedure that can be performed with minimal resources and provides results within 1-2 h.

AIM: To further optimize KOH mount using transparent cellophane tape to ascertain fungal elements, even by inexperienced personnel.

METHODS

A split-body study was conducted on 100 patients with tinea cruris. Conventional scrape method was performed on the right side and the cellophane tape method on the left. Microscopy was performed 1-2 h after collection, and on the next morning and days 3 and 7.

RESULTS

Of the 100 samples, positive results were seen in 91 (91%) with the standard method and 94 (94%) with the cellophane tape method. Clumping of the fungi and presence of artefacts were more marked with the scrape than with the tape method.

CONCLUSION

In view of its merits over the conventional scrape method, the cellophane tape method is a prudent alternative for the detection of superficial fungal infections.