Demonstration of fungus by using parker's India ink and eosin- a simple technique

M Thirumurthy, CR Srinivas

 Department of Dermatology, Pso Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelmedu, Coimbatore-641 004, Tamil Nadu, India

Correspondence Address:
M Thirumurthy
Department of Dermatology, Pso Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelmedu, Coimbatore-641 004, Tamil Nadu
India

To the Editor

Standard KOH mount for tinea versicolor involves scarping of the scales over a glass slide to which is added few drops of 10% KOH solution. The slide is gently warmed and fungus and hyphae can be seen both under low and high power. We have recently reported a simple method using cellophane tape, 10% KOH and Parker′s black ink.[1] This modified method had the advantage of cellophane replacing coverslip and hence easily transported. Ink stains the fungal wall blue and thus is easy to recognise. Eosin 1 % can be used to stain the keratin.[2] This lends a pinkish background whilst the fungal elements remain unstained.[2] We further modified this method. To 2vols of 1 %eosin is added 1vol of Parker′s ink. The mixture is painted over the affected site and allowed to dry. Cellophane tape is then applied, gently pressed, removed and then stuck over a glass slide and viewed. The background stains pink due to eosin and fungal elements blue due to ink. No heating is required. We assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the following 5 methods in 20 cases clinically diagnosed as tinea versicolor.

1. Standard method, 2. Cellophane tape method 3 Parker′s Ink method, 4. 1 % Eosin method 5. Modified method

We conclude that eosin and Parker′s ink when combined offers a simple method to demonstrate the fungi. It is also easy to transport and does not need worming.

The results as well as advantages are tabulated in [Table - 1].

Transportability indicates the case, which the specimen can be collected and brought to laboratory and stability refers to duration the stain lasts and can be reliably reported.

1.	Thirumurthy M, Sethuraman G, Srinivas CR. KOH mount for superficial fungal infections using cellophane tape-comparison with standard technique. Indian J Dermatol Venereal Leprol (In Press). [Google Scholar]
2.	Mycology in Manual of Basic Techniques for A Health Laboratory. World Health Organization, Geneva 1980. [Google Scholar]