[Diagnosing dermatomycoses in a clinical mycology laboratory: guidelines proposed by the Czech Society for Medical Microbiology Working Group on Mycology].

ABSTRACT

This draft of guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of dermatomycoses was developed based on discussion among members of the Czech Society for Medical Microbiology Working Group on Mycology. The document Guidelines for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Dermatomycoses was published for discussion on the Czech Society for Medical Microbiology website on 23 March 2020. Until recently, recommendations concerning this area of laboratory diagnosis in mycology were only limited to information in manuals and no comprehensive and systematic document concerning these issues was available. In an effort to fill the gap, members of the working group developed recommendations covering various laboratory aspects of mycology, from obtaining a proper history, to adequate sampling techniques, sample analyses using conventional microscopy and culture techniques, to interpretation of results. Additional information was on the diagnostic potential of novel, modern technology, in particular molecular genetic methods and mass spectrometry. The recently developed European standards for testing the susceptibility of dermatophytes to antifungals were also included in the recommendations. The document will be regularly updated based on new findings.