FUNGAL CULTURE | International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology

International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology

FUNGAL CULTURE

Dermatophytes, some molds, and Malassezia and Candida yeasts are the main etiologic agents for fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nail. The sensitivity of a fungal culture varies between 25% -85% and depends upon various factor:

Sampling methods
Transportation of the sample
Selection of fungal media
Optimal temperature conditions
Existence of viable fungal cells

The culture method is currently regarded as the gold standard for confirming a clinical diagnosis of a fungal infection; however, drawbacks include false-negative culture rates ranging from 15% to 50%.

Primary isolation of fungal species should be carried out on specific media:

Dermatophytes
- Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with cycloheximide, chloramphenicol, and gentamycin
- Mycosel® agar
- Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM®)
Candida and molds
- SDA without antibiotic
Malassezia sp
- Modified Leeming-Notman agar medium
- Modified Dixon agar medium

Fungal cultures taken from the primary isolation media may be transferred to specified media for morphological and biochemical differentiation. For example, the media used to study conidia, non-reproductive structures, and certain biochemical properties are:

Potato dextrose agar
Cornmeal agar
Malt extract agar
- Used to induce conidia formations in filamentous fungi
Christensen’s urea agar
- Used to detect urease activity in trichophyton, various molds, and yeasts
Trichophyton agar
- Used to determine the nutritional requirements of Trichophyton sp
Esculin agar
- Used for differentiation of some Malasseziasp

Aditya K. Gupta, MD, FRCP
London, ONT, Canada

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