1.Histopathology and Histochemistry in Cutaneous Fungal Infections.
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2016;21(1):1-7
Dermatomycosis refers to any fungal infection of the skin and may be caused by dermatophytes, yeast, or other fungi, including those that do not usually cause cutaneous disease. Clinical diagnosis of a dermatomycosis can be confirmed by microscopic detection of fungal elements, by identification of the species through culture, or by histologic evidence of the presence of fungal material in the tissue. In superficial mycoses, direct smear with KOH and fungal culture are the most valuable and useful diagnostic methods. For this reason, skin biopsy is not often employed in the workup of dermatophytosis or other superficial mycoses. But it is useful in diagnosis of deep fungal infections and some lesions in which KOH examination of scale is negative. This review article aims to provide insights on the histopathology and various special stains in diagnosing dermatomycosis.
Arthrodermataceae
;
Biopsy
;
Coloring Agents
;
Dermatomycoses
;
Diagnosis
;
Fungi
;
Mycoses
;
Skin
;
Tinea
;
Yeasts
2.Exacerbating Clinical Severity of Norwegian Scabies Presentation Paralleled to the Hemiplegic Side.
Hyungrok KIM ; Yongwoo CHOI ; Osung KWON ; Hyun CHUNG ; Joonsoo PARK ; Kyung Duck PARK
Korean Journal of Dermatology 2018;56(9):561-562
No abstract available.
Hemiplegia
;
Scabies*
3.Growth Features of Trichophyton rubrum on Potato Dextrose Agar-Corn Meal-Tween 80 Plate.
Hyungrok KIM ; Osung KWON ; Yong Joon BANG ; Joonsoo PARK
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2016;21(3):103-104
No abstract available.
Glucose*
;
Solanum tuberosum*
;
Trichophyton*
4.Microscopic Findings of Malassezia Colonization in Seborrheic Dermaititis.
Osung KWON ; Joonsoo PARK ; Hyungrok KIM ; Jae Bok PARK
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2016;21(4):138-139
No abstract available.
Colon*
;
Malassezia*
;
Spores
5.Effects of Low Alternating Current on Growth of the Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis
Joonsoo PARK ; Hyungrok KIM ; Dong Rak KWON ; Dae Gil KWON
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2018;23(1):9-14
BACKGROUND:
A large number of studies have been focused on bacterial growth but limited number of literature has been reported regarding modification of fungal growth.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to investigate effects of low alternating current on Microsporum (M.) canis and Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans growth.
METHODS:
Inoculums of M. canis and T. tonsurans were applied to twenty-four PDACT (potato dextrose agar-corn meal-Tween 80) plates with a sterile spreader. Petri dishes were allocated into 8 groups according to the fungi species and the amperage delivered to these dishes. Group A, B, C and D were M. canis group and E, F, G, H were T. tonsurans group. The given amperage of electric current was 0.5 µA in group A and E, 2 µA in B and F, 4 µA in C and G. No electric current was given in group D and H.
RESULTS:
In groups A, B, and C the average time elapsed for colony appearances were 42 hours, 43.17 hours, and 40.5 hours respectively. The average time elapsed in the control group D was 88.67 hours. In groups E, F, and G the average time elapsed for colony appearances were 63.67 hours, 61.83 hours, and 64.17 hours respectively. The average time elapsed in the control group H was 90.60 hours.
CONCLUSION
With electric current, faster fungal growth was observed in the amperage range used in this study. Based on these results, we hypothesized that microcurrent helps the fungal growth.
6.Stimulatory and Inhibitory Effects of Alternating Current on the Growth of Trichophyton rubrum
Hyungrok KIM ; Dong Rak KWON ; Joonsoo PARK
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2018;23(3):68-73
BACKGROUND:
Electric stimulation has been investigated for potential medical uses. Numerous articles have been published that focused on antimicrobial effects of electric current, but few studies have reported regarding modifications of fungal growth following exposure to electric current.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate effects of low alternating current on the growth of Trichophyton rubrum.
METHODS:
In total, 35 plates inoculated with T. rubrum were allocated to one of the five treatment groups (groups A, B, C, D, or E). Fungal colonies in each group were treated with a different intensity of electric current (0.5 µA, 4 µA, 25 µA, 600 µA, or 900 µA) at a frequency of 8 Hz. The area of each fungal colony was measured every other day for 7 days to evaluate the effects on fungal growth.
RESULTS:
No experimental groups treated with electric current showed any statistically significant differences against the control groups.
CONCLUSION
Microcurrent did not show any detectable changes in the viability of the fungus. Our findings indicate that microcurrent may affect fungal seeding to the media rather than the growth rate. Unfortunately, there are limited studies on this topic, and further research is warranted to clarify the precise effect of electric stimulation on the activity of microorganisms.
7.The Status and Tendency of Recent Five-year Fungal Cultures as a Diagnostic Measure in a Tertiary Hospital in the Southwestern Daegu Area.
Hyunjung KWON ; Hyungrok KIM ; Youngil KIM ; Kyung Duck PARK ; Hyun CHUNG ; Joonsoo PARK
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2015;20(4):93-101
BACKGROUND: Fungal culture is a conventional method for diagnosing fungal infections and is important for determining etiologic agents of the fungal infections. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and validity of fungus culture in various clinical departments. METHODS: A retrospective study of 4373 fungal culture cases at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from January 2010 to December 2014 was made to investigate the prevalence of fungus culture depending on age, clinical departments, specimens and to evaluate the positive rate along with the distribution factor. RESULTS: The number of fungal culture increased with age. Fungal culture was more commonly performed in departments such as pulmonology (26.7%), ophthalmology (11.7%), dermatology (8.6%), emergency medicine (7.4%), neurology (7.3%). Among the cultured specimens, 43.6% were respiratory specimens, followed by CSF (17.2%), ophthalmic specimens (13.2%), skin (8.7%), and abscess (4.0%). Of the 4,373 specimens cultured, 222 (5.1%) were positive. The most commonly identified fungus was Trichophyton. Fungal culture was routinely performed with bronchoscopy and lumbar puncture. Prophylactic fungal evaluation was carried out for patients who had liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that fungal culture has been excessively conducted, even to a level where some departments take the test on their regular routine basis. The unfettered use of this low-yield diagnostic tool can give a false sense accomplishment and is often cost-ineffective and difficult in altering subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic plans. Clinicians should appropriately assess medical indications of fungal culture counting in the risk of infection, mortality, and cost as well.
Abscess
;
Academic Medical Centers
;
Bronchoscopy
;
Daegu*
;
Dermatology
;
Emergency Medicine
;
Fungi
;
Humans
;
Liver Transplantation
;
Mortality
;
Neurology
;
Ophthalmology
;
Prevalence
;
Pulmonary Medicine
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Skin
;
Spinal Puncture
;
Tertiary Care Centers*
;
Trichophyton
8.A Case of Candida Balanitis Masquerading as Herpes Genitalis.
Yong Woo CHOI ; Hyungrok KIM ; Hyunjung KWON ; Moon Hyung YOU ; Jong Soo CHOI ; Hyun CHUNG ; Joonsoo PARK
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2017;22(4):167-171
A 46-year-old male presented with skin lesion on the tip of penis, occurring a month ago. Erythematous macules and grouped vesicles on the glans penis and upper side of prepuce area were noticed. In addition, scales were noticed on the tip of glans penis. The lesion was first diagnosed as herpes genitalis based on the clinical manifestation, but had failed to improve with systemic and topical antiviral and topical antibiotics. KOH examinations were performed on his upper glans penis, and we detected pseudo hyphae and spores. Fungal culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study were revealed as Candida albicans. He was successfully treated with topical isoconazole cream twice a day. Candida balanitis refers to candida infections of glans penis. Infectious balanitis presented various clinical presentations, it is not easy to diagnose with clinical presentation only. Therefore, it is essential to include other examination such as KOH examination, microorganism exam, and/or biopsy in the differential diagnosis when cutaneous lesions are noticed in patients. Herein, we present a candida balanitis with atypical features that clinically mimicked herpes genitalis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents
;
Balanitis*
;
Biopsy
;
Candida albicans
;
Candida*
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Herpes Genitalis*
;
Humans
;
Hyphae
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Penis
;
Polymerase Chain Reaction
;
Skin
;
Spores
;
Weights and Measures
9.Histopathologically Confirmed Tinea Capitis Misdiagnosed as Psoriasis.
Barnali CHOWDHURY ; Osung KWON ; Hyungrok KIM ; Hyunjung KWON ; Kyungduck PARK ; Hyun CHUNG ; Joonsoo PARK
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2016;21(4):135-137
No abstract available.
Psoriasis*
;
Tinea Capitis*
;
Tinea Favosa
;
Tinea*
10.A Case of Multiple Tinea Infections in an Infant Child After Contact with a Dog.
Hyungrok KIM ; Osung KWON ; Hyunjung KWON ; Joonsoo PARK ; Kyung Duck PARK ; Jong Soo CHOI ; Yong Joon BANG ; Hyun CHUNG
Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 2016;21(2):47-51
Dermatophytosis in children is relatively infrequent than adults. Dermatophytosis in children can be different clinically and mycologically from those in adults in that children experience rapid physical changes and they have different skin features and environments from those of adults. Microsoprum (M.) canis is one of the zoophilic dermatophytes responsible for 3~30% of tinea corporis and tinea capitis in children. It is most likely transmitted by contact with infected animals such as cats and dogs. Clinical manifestations were single or multiple annular shaped, erythematous scaly patches and sometimes hard to differentiate with other skin diseases. A 6-year-old girl presented with multiple, pruritic, erythematous scaly patches on cheek and buttock. The lesion started 3 weeks before visiting our skin clinic. There was no personal or family history of any skin disease but she had a history of contacting with a dog. A fungal culture from tissue of the lesions grown on potato dextrose agar-corn meal-tween 80 showed typical Microsporum canis. The skin lesions were clinically improved after topical treatment for 4 weeks.
Adult
;
Animals
;
Arthrodermataceae
;
Buttocks
;
Cats
;
Cheek
;
Child*
;
Dogs*
;
Female
;
Glucose
;
Humans
;
Infant*
;
Microsporum
;
Skin
;
Skin Diseases
;
Solanum tuberosum
;
Tinea Capitis
;
Tinea*