Lasers in Surgery and Medicine | 2019
Mobile phone‐based UV fluorescence microscopy for the identification of fungal pathogens
Abstract
Dermatophytes are fungi that cause infections in hair, skin, and nails. Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) microscopy is the most frequently used method for identifying dermatophytes. KOH helps in the visualization of the hyphae as it clears the debris present in the specimen but needs a trained eye for final diagnosis of the infection. Fluorescence microscopy using staining agents, such as calcofluor white (CFW) or blankophor, is a better method for identification of dermatophytes but is not used in clinics due to the cost and complexity of fluorescence microscopes. The objective of the present work is to develop a simple low‐cost mobile phone‐based device for the identification of fungal pathogens in skin samples.