4050. Screening for pathogenic fungi (skin scraping)
Important information
Description
There are a large number of fungi varieties (dermatophytes) that can infect the skin and its appendages. These include Trichosporon, Dermatophytes, Malassezia, Candida, Hortaea and others. All of them can decompose keratin, one of the main components of skin, hair and nails. They cause dermatomycosis or dermatophytosis.
Microscopy allows you to identify the structure of fungi in samples (mycelium, pseudomycelium, spores, yeast-like fungi) taken from affected areas of skin, hair or nails. Screening for pathogenic fungi allows you to confirm the presence of a fungal infection. Differentiation of different types of fungi is not carried out in this test.
When and who needs the test?
- Signs of fungal nail diseases (discoloration, thickening, brittleness of nails).
- Differential diagnosis of fungal and other infectious/non-infectious nail diseases.
The result of the test is interpreted by the doctor. The use of antimycotic drugs (azoles, amphotericin, echinocandins), treatment of areas for taking biomaterial for research with disinfectants; visiting a sauna, massage, steam bath and physiotherapy the day before can lead to a false negative result.
Biological material
- Hair/skin/nails for pathogenic fungi
Preparing for testing of nails, hairs, skin scrapings
- 3 days before the procedure avoid the use of any cosmetics (nail polish, creams, etc.), local medications.
- In case of antifungal drugs taking, be sure to follow your doctor's recommendations before test taking.
- In the Synevo laboratory centers material taking is not carried out.
- It is recommened that material...