Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Differential Staining Technique01:26

Differential Staining Technique

Differential staining is an essential microbiological technique that exploits variations in cell wall structures to classify and identify microorganisms. It facilitates the distinction of bacteria, aiding in diagnostic and research applications. Two of the most widely used differential staining methods are Gram staining and acid-fast staining, both of which rely on the chemical and structural differences in bacterial cell walls.Gram Staining TechniqueGram staining differentiates bacteria by...
Special Staining Techniques01:13

Special Staining Techniques

Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Lower limit of detection of commercial respiratory virus reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction panels for bovine influenza A(H5N1).

American journal of clinical pathology·2026
Same author

Rapid tests for Bundibugyo virus in DR Congo.

Lancet (London, England)·2026
Same author

Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2026
Same author

Guidelines of care for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis and awareness of comorbid conditions in pediatric atopic dermatitis.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2026
Same author

One confirmed and one potential human case of influenza A(H5N1) detected through an expanded subtyping protocol.

ASM case reports·2026
Same author

Focused update: Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants
06:53

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants

Published on: May 5, 2023

Microscopically differentiating dermatophytes from sock fibers.

Abraar Karan1, Ali Alikhan, Steven R Feldman

  • 1Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|November 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH) fungal smears can be challenging due to sock fibers. This study differentiates common sock fibers from dermatophytes, aiding accurate diagnosis of fungal infections.

More Related Videos

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer
06:58

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Published on: September 29, 2023

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
10:33

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure

Published on: May 27, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants
06:53

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants

Published on: May 5, 2023

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer
06:58

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Published on: September 29, 2023

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
10:33

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure

Published on: May 27, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Diagnostic Microbiology
  • Textile Science

Background:

  • Dermatophytes cause widespread superficial fungal infections.
  • Microscopic KOH smears for fungal diagnosis can be obscured by textile fibers, particularly from socks.
  • Accurate identification of dermatophytes is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish clear differentiating features between dermatophytes and common sock fibers.
  • To improve the accuracy of microscopic diagnosis in clinical mycology.
  • To aid clinicians in distinguishing artifacts from true fungal elements.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic analysis of nine different textile fiber types.
  • Application of the potassium hydroxide (KOH) direct smear test to fiber samples.
  • Comparative analysis of structural characteristics of fibers versus dermatophytes.

Main Results:

  • Sock fibers exhibit a non-septate, uniform structure, distinct from dermatophytes.
  • Textile fibers are generally larger and visible at lower magnifications compared to dermatophytes.
  • Key morphological differences aid in differentiating between sock fibers and fungal elements.

Conclusions:

  • While sock fibers can mimic fungal elements in KOH smears, distinct morphological differences exist.
  • Familiarity with these distinctions enables accurate differentiation by trained observers.
  • Limitations include the absence of clinical detritus in analyzed fiber samples.