The investigation of superficial fungal infections by skin surface biopsy

The skin surface biopsy technique using a cyanoacrylate contact cement was employed for the diagnosis and study of superficial mycoses. The biopsy specimens were used for quick direct examination after treatment with potassium hydroxide and blue-black ink, direct examination after staining with the periodic-acid Schiff method, fungal culture and scanning electron microscopy. Skin surface biopsies were taken from 124 patients for one or more of these purposes. Direct examination and culture of the specimens proved simple, and reliable for diagnostic use in clinical practice. In addition, the morphology of the infective agent could easily be studied in detail in its in vivo arrangement in the intact sheets of horny layer, either in stained preparations or under the scanning electron microscope.