There are many methods of preparing and staining skin scrapings for the examination for the presence of fungi. Probably the most widely used method is the simple KOH method suggested by C.W. Dodge. This method, however, requires a high degree of skill and often misreading is experienced.
In order to elevate the problems evolved I have developed a new method which utilized, KOH, CuSO₄.5H₂O and Eosin Y, with the following results. The body of the fungi appears as purple-pink to purple in color, while tissue appears pink in color.
The reaction is a biochemical reaction. As the tissue is dissolved the CuSO₄ in converted to Cu(OH)₂ which in turn reacts with sugars or organic exalic acid in the body of the fungi, the end point being complex salt, which shows as a blue color, however this reaction is very weak and because of this Eosin Y is added to enhance the reaction resulting in the purple color, which is very easy to observe microscopicly.
Microscopicly the observer is able to discern different color reactions in the various structures of the fungi. For example : the spore stains a deeper color than the mycelium, also one can observe spore formation in the mycelium.
I have studied this method in twelve different cases of mycotic infections, using the KOH method and the culture method along with my new technique. In all cases using the new method proved to be 100% accurate while the KOH method was only 50% accurate.
This method then is simple, less time consuming with a higher degree of accuracy, than the old KOH method and can very easily be utilized clinically for the identification of mycotic infections.

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