SUPERFICIAL FUNGUS INFECTION OF SKIN (MYCOTIC DERMATITIS)
A periodic acid Schiff stain (PAS stain ) is routinely done in my lab on
all inflammatory dermatoses. It is amazing the number of different
reaction patterns that can be associated with a superficial fungus infection.
The number of cases that are not suspected clinically is sobering. I don't
attempt to do species identification on histology preparations. If hyphae
(mycelia) are present, it is a pathogen. If only yeast forms are seen,
particularly in intact follicles, it is probably Pityrosporum which is
not usually considered a pathogen.
Low power showing minimal spongiotic dermatitis (dermatitis
or eczema type reaction).
High power. PAS stain showing one mycelium in longitudinal
section in the lower part of the stratum corneum.
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