Evaluation of the direct preparation and culture for dermatophytes

Dear Patient,

For your convenience and safety, please book an appointment for this test by phone at the Synevo Intake Point of your choice at 22 120 24 00

What is a dermatophyte culture?

Dermatophytes are unicellular species of fungi that are responsible for causing mycosis fungoides - both nail and skin diseases in humans.

This test allows the exact identification of the species causing the disease in a given patient, which also allows the selection of the most effective, optimal treatment, selected for a given clinical case.

When to perform a culture for dermatophytes?

This test is usually performed to precisely identify the causative agent of ringworm in a given patient, in order to select treatment in a targeted manner. It is particularly indicated if the skin lesion does not improve over time or does not respond to the treatment used so far. Collection of the sample for culture must be carried out by a doctor or nurse in order to correctly obtain the material for the test. It is then sent to a microbiology laboratory, where the test organism is multiplied on special media and then identified by qualified diagnostic personnel.

Who should perform a culture for dermatophytes?

Dermatophytosis is a disease that can affect people of all ages. It is more common in immunocompromised people or those who do not follow hygiene rules. Infection with microscopic fungi, which are responsible for causing this group of diseases, can occur, for example, at a public swimming pool or in other moist places where there is contact with unprotected skin.

Transmission of unicellular fungi to human skin can also occur through contact with infected animals, or by using the same hygiene items (such as towels, combs, or toothbrushes) as the person currently suffering from the disease. The most common form of ringworm is on the feet and nails, with other locations on the body less commonly affected.

The main symptoms of ringworm are:

• localized redness
• swollen skin
• pruritus, burning at the site
• change in nail color, brittleness
• loss of hair from the affected area

Unusually ringworm is limited to the superficial layer of the skin, but in some rare cases it can also affect the deeper layers of the skin and internal organs - a much more serious condition that usually occurs in people with severe immune deficiencies, such as in the course of AIDS syndrome caused by the HIV virus.