KOH MOUNT >

Other Name: • KOH prep
                       • Potassium Hydroxide Preparation
                       • Fungal smear

Volume:

With visible materials of the following:

• Skin scrapings
• Hair
• Nail clippings

Fluids: 1-3 mL

Patient's Preparation:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               A. SKIN / SCALP SCRAPINGS                                                                                           1. Using a sterile scalpel or edge of a glass slide, gently scrape skin scales from the infected area.                                                                                                                   2. Scrapings may be collected in a black paper or directly on to a glass slide.
3. Add at least 2-3 drops of 10% KOH to the scrapings, put a coverslip and place the slide in a moist container to prevent it from drying. (Samples with KOH solution can be stored in a petri dish with moist tissue paper).
4. Label samples properly with patient name, sample type, and site of collection.


B. NAIL CLIPPINGS
1. Using a clean nail cutter, cut off a portion of the affected nail. It is important to cut the nails as thin as possible.
2. Nail clippings may be collected in a black paper and transferred to a sterile container.
3. Label samples properly with patient name and source of tissue scraping.

C. HAIR
1. Using a clean tweezer, remove hair shafts with follicles from the infected site.
2. Hair samples may be directly placed on to a glass slide.
3. Add at least 2-3 drops of 20% KOH to the hair samples, put a coverslip, and place the slide in a moist container. (Samples with KOH solution can be stored in a petri dish with moist tissue paper to prevent it from drying).
4. Label samples properly with patient name and source of tissue scraping.

Sample Container: Clean dry sterile container

Reference Value: Positive for yeast cells or budding yeast cells or budding yeast cells with hyphae

Intended Use: • It is used for detecting fungal elements.
• Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) solution is a strong base that can dissolve tissue cells and keratinized material making fungal elements more visible.