Care should be taken in handling specimens from suspect cases as a number of fungal infections are communicable to man.

Diagnosis

Clinical findings, mycology and histopathology.

Specimens required

Skin conditions:

1. Skin biopsy taken from the margin of an active lesion submitted for mycology* and in buffered formalin for histopathology is the best specimen.
2. Hair and deep skin scrapings from the peripheral areas of active lesions, submitted dry, for mycology.*

Systemic conditions:

1. Sections of any organs showing lesions submitted for mycology.*
2. Sections of liver, spleen and lung submitted for mycology.*
3. Sections of affected organs and liver, kidney and spleen in buffered formalin for histopathology.

*Samples for fungal culture should not be chilled or frozen, as temperatures of less than 15°C can be detrimental to fungal survival.

Culture of fungi may take up to 3 weeks.