Fungal Stain (KOH Mount)
Report in 24Hrs
At Home
Details
KOH mount (Potassium Hydroxide Mount) is a simple, rapid microscopic test used to detect fungal elements like hyphae, spores, or yeast cells
₹99₹150
34% OFF
1000+ Booked this Test
🧪 What is Fungal Stain (KOH Mount)?
KOH mount (Potassium Hydroxide Mount) is a simple, rapid microscopic test used to detect fungal elements like hyphae, spores, or yeast cells in clinical samples.
- 10–20% KOH solution is added to skin scrapings, nail clippings, hair shafts, or body fluids.
- KOH dissolves keratin and cellular debris, making fungal structures more visible under a microscope.
- It's a screening tool, not a confirmatory test — does not identify the fungal species.
❓ Why is the KOH Mount Done?
To:
- Quickly detect superficial fungal infections (e.g., skin, nails, hair)
- Screen vaginal, oral, or corneal fungal infections
- Evaluate persistent itching, scaling, or discoloration
- Distinguish fungal from bacterial or non-infective skin conditions
🔍 Common Specimen Types
- Skin scrapings – from lesions, rashes, or scaling areas
- Nail clippings – in suspected onychomycosis
- Hair shafts – in scalp fungal infections
- Vaginal swabs, oral scrapings, sputum, CSF, corneal scrapings
📊 Normal/Abnormal Findings
Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
No fungal elements seen | Normal – No evidence of fungal infection |
Fungal elements seen | Abnormal – Presence of hyphae, pseudohyphae, or yeast cells suggests fungal infection |
May be followed by fungal culture for species identification.
📈 Interpretation of Results
Finding | Suggestive of |
|---|---|
Septate hyphae | Dermatophytes (e.g., Trichophyton, Microsporum) |
Non-septate hyphae | Zygomycosis (Mucor, Rhizopus) |
Budding yeast cells | Candida spp. |
Pseudohyphae + budding | Candida albicans |
Spherical yeast cells with capsule | Cryptococcus (India ink may also be used) |
🧠 Associated Organs and Conditions
Site | Common Fungal Conditions |
|---|---|
Skin | Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris (ringworm) |
Nails | Onychomycosis |
Hair/scalp | Tinea capitis |
Vagina | Candidiasis |
Mouth | Oral thrush |
Cornea | Fungal keratitis |
CSF | Cryptococcal meningitis (with India ink/KOH) |
🔄 Related / Follow-Up Tests
- Fungal Culture – For definitive species identification
- Gram Stain / PAS / GMS stain – For deeper fungal structures
- KOH + Calcofluor White stain – Enhances visibility under fluorescence
- Histopathology – For invasive fungal infections
- Serologic tests – e.g., cryptococcal antigen, galactomannan
- PCR or molecular panels – For systemic fungal infections
✅ Fasting Required?
Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
KOH Mount | ❌ No fasting required – Sample is collected directly from affected site, irrespective of food intake |
📝 Summary
Parameter | Summary |
|---|---|
What | Microscopic screening test using KOH to detect fungal structures in skin, nails, hair, or fluids |
Why Test | Rapid detection of fungal infections, especially superficial mycoses |
Result Interpretation | Hyphae/yeast = Positive; No elements = Negative |
Common Conditions | Tinea, candidiasis, onychomycosis, fungal keratitis |
Follow-up Tests | Fungal culture, special stains, PCR, serology |
Fasting Required | ❌ No |
How our test process works!
