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Introduction Fungal culture is the gold standard method for the detection and identification of pathogenic fungi in clinical microbiology. It is essential for diagnosing superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic mycoses. Clinical specimens such as blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), skin scrapings, nail …
Introduction Molds such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, and members of the Mucorales are important causes of invasive fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients (oncology, transplant, hematology, ICU). Unlike yeasts (Candida, Cryptococcus), which are more frequently recovered from blood cultures, molds are rarely detected in routine …
Introduction The Auxacolor System is a commercially available biochemical-based yeast identification method widely used in clinical microbiology laboratories. It provides a simple, standardized approach to identifying medically important yeasts, including Candida, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon, and others. Unlike molecular tools or MALDI-TOF MS, Auxacolor is inexpensive, does …
Introduction Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus responsible for histoplasmosis, a systemic mycosis prevalent in endemic regions such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial since clinical features may mimic tuberculosis, malignancy, …
Introduction Accurate and timely identification of molds is essential for clinical microbiology, especially in cases of invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, Mucorales, and other filamentous fungi. Traditional methods based on morphology and phenotypic characteristics are slow, require expertise, and may misidentify cryptic …
Introduction Invasive mold infections such as those caused by Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, and Mucorales present significant clinical challenges, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Mortality rates are high, and empirical antifungal therapy often fails due to intrinsic or acquired resistance. Standardized antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is therefore …
Introduction Fungal infections caused by yeasts, particularly Candida and Cryptococcus species, represent a significant clinical challenge in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is crucial for guiding therapy, particularly in cases of treatment failure or the emergence of resistance. The broth microdilution …
Introduction Fungal infections represent a growing concern in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Conventional identification methods, including culture, microscopy, and biochemical testing, often require several days and may lack sensitivity or specificity for certain opportunistic fungi. Molecular techniques such as PCR and sequencing have improved …