stilbenes and Mycoses

Fluorescent whiteners, such as Blankophor and Calcofluor white, bind to chitin and cellulose, and fluoresce when exposed to UV light. Detection of fungal elements from skin and nail samples was faster and more accurate using Blankophor compared with potassium hydroxide preparations and Calcofluor (sensitivity and specificity 100% and 86% vs. 83-90% and 84-88%, or 80% and 84%, respectively). Visibility was improved, and the procedures were simple, inexpensive and rapid, all of which are important considerations in a busy diagnostic laboratory.

Topics: Benzenesulfonates; Fluorescence; Fungi; Humans; Hydroxides; Mycoses; Nails; Potassium Compounds; Sensitivity and Specificity; Skin; Stilbenes

Fluorescent staining using optical brighteners (diaminostilbenes) affords the semispecific and rapid detection of fungal elements in clinical specimens. After yielding a first hint of mycosis, the identification of the involved fungal genus is often desirable in cases when culture proves unsuccessful. In such cases, immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridisation may further the diagnosis with respect to establish an appropriate therapy.

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Coloring Agents; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Mucormycosis; Mycoses; Rhizopus; Staining and Labeling; Stilbenes

Fluorescent staining of fungi in clinical specimens with the optical brightener Blankophor can be performed concomitantly with maceration of surrounding tissue and may be accelerated by heating. The procedure is suitable for disclosing fungi in gram-stained microscopical mounts and can be used for screening of tissue sections prior to immunofluorescence.

Topics: Fluorescent Dyes; Fungi; Humans; Mycoses; Stilbenes

Deparaffinized kidney sections from mice infected with Candida albicans and lung sections from mice infected with Blastomyces dermatitides were stained with the stilbene derivative, Uvitex 2B (1%), and counterstained with haemalum and eosin. Fungi selectively stained with Uvitex 2B are visualized by blue fluorescence under incident illumination with ultraviolet light. Simultaneous or consecutive illumination with transmitted light permits the assignment of fluorescent fungi to haemalum-eosin-stained structures in the section. The most practical means of achieving a high optical contrast with Uvitex 2B in sections and good haemalum-eosin staining is to use the established haemalum-eosin technique, but with a solution containing both 1% eosin and 1% Uvitex 2B in place of eosin alone. Since Uvitex 2B stains all fungi investigated so far, it affords a simple, sensitive and inexpensive method of selectively detecting opportunistic fungal infections in conventional histopathology.

Topics: Animals; Benzenesulfonates; Blastomyces; Candida albicans; Kidney Diseases; Lung Diseases; Mice; Microtomy; Mycoses; Staining and Labeling; Stilbenes

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Guanidines; Macrolides; Mice; Mycoses; Nystatin; Stilbamidines; Stilbenes

Topics: Humans; Mycoses; Stilbenes