A modified method for rapid mycological diagnosis of Tinea unguium in Taiwan, Republic of China.

This is a study to modify and simplify the classical laboratory procedures of mycological diagnosis of Tinea unguium. By means of a tube KOH digestion technique for microscopic examination of nail clippings and a paper disc transfer technique using a more uniform wool-fiber-yeast extract culture fluid as inoculum for all tests necessary for fungal identification, dermatophytes can be identified to a species level. To authenticate the advantage of the etiologic diagnosis of Tinea unguium by mycological studies, the promising result of our previous clinical therapeutic trial with Griseofulvin was presented.