Role of Pre and Post Cytocentrifugation and Different Media in the Primary Isolation of Fungi

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to compare the role of direct microscopy with microscopy after cytocentrifugation during diagnosis of fungal infections. Also, the role and usefulness of different media like Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Emmons Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (ESDA) and Inhibitory Mold Agar (IMA) for the growth of different fungi were compared to determine the most effective primary medium to be used in routine. Out of the total number of observations, 11.25% showed 2 folds increase, 28.75% showed 3 folds increase, 20% showed 4 folds increase and 40% showed 5 folds or more increase in cell density after cytocentrifugation. Also there were 3.75% of negative observations during direct microscopy while positive results were obtained on microscopy of same samples after cytocentrifugation. On studying the effect of various primary media on isolation and growth of different fungi, a total of 27 fungal isolates were recovered on culture media and identified. These isolates represented six important genera of fungi namely Candida, Penicillium, Trichophyton, Aspergillus, Cryptocococcus and Rhizopus. Out of a total of 27 fungal isolates, 66.66% fungal isolates were isolated on all the three media, 11.11% on SDA alone, 7.40% on Emmons SDA alone and 14.81% on IMA alone.