Mycology and Virology: Diagnostic Mycology - Direct Examination (detection of...)

Gram stain

bacteria and fungi

Papanicolaou

- examination of secretions
- presence of malignant cells

KOH (w/ or w/o ink)

- protein, fats, and polysaccharides are solubilized.
- tissue clears
- fungal cell wall - alkali resistant due to glucans and chitins
- gentle heating and warming hastens reactions

Calcofluor white

- Optical brightener dye used as whitening agent in textile and paper industry
- binds cellulose and chitin
- Fluoresce when exposed to UV and short wavelength visible light
- Use fluorescent microscope

Alcian blue

C. neoformans in CSF

Acid fast

Mycobacteria and Nocardia

Giemsa

Examination of bone marrow and blood smear

India ink

C. neoformans in CSF

Methylene blue

fungi in skin scrapings

Methenamine silver

fungi in histologic sections

Periodic Acid Schiff

- fungi
- histochemical stain for glycogen

Wright's stain

examination of bone marrow or peripheral blood smear (PBS)