A Clinicomycological Study of Pityriasis
Versicolor with a Special Referance to the
Calcofluor White Stain
1356-1358
Correspondence
Jyoti S. Kabbin
H.No. 318, 3rd Floor
Sharavathi, B-4 Block
National Games Village
Koramangal, Bagalore-560042
E-mail: Drjyotiskabbin@gmail.com
Background: The mycological study of Pityriasis versicolor by doing Potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount preparations and cultures is simple, but both the techniques have their own limitations. The isolation of the organism is very difficult because it is lipophilic and it needs special media to grow, which takes time. The present study suggests that the Calcoflour white stain can be used for the preliminary identification of the fungal elements, so that clinicians can start with the treatment.
Aim: The aim of this study was to know the advantage of Calcofluor white staining versus the conventional methods which are used for the demonstration of the fungi in cases of Pityriasis versicolor.
Methods: Over a period of one year, from October 2004 to November 2005, a total of 100 clinically diagnosed cases of Pityriasis versicolor were referred from the Department of Dermatology to the Department of Microbiology, Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital which is attached to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore. Skin scrapings from affected lesions were processed by doing KOH preparations, Calcoflour white staining and cultures.
Results: Out of the 100 cases which were studied, the maximum number of cases were in age group of 12 to 21 yrs (51%). Males 71(71%) were affected more than females 29(29%). 98(98%) samples were positive for the fungi by Calcoflour white staining, 92(92%) by the KOH preparation and 46(46%) by culture.
Conclusion: Calcoflour white staining picked up an additional four samples which were reported as negative by the KOH preparation and the culture. Two other samples were reported to be positive by Calcoflour white staining and culture and to be negative by the KOH preparation. Calcoflour white staining is a rapid, simple, sensitive and highly reliable method for identifying fungi, as it provides a good definition of the fine fungal structures and a better contrast from the background debris, cells and tissue fragments.