Rapid visualization of three common fungi using fluorescein-conjugated lectins

The feasibility of using fluorescein-conjugated lectins to visualize and differentiate three fungi commonly involved in ophthalmic mycoses was evaluated. Using a panel of fluorescein-conjugated lectins, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Fusarium solani were rapidly and reproducibly visualized in in vitro culture isolates, as well as in tissue samples and fixed histopathologic specimens taken from experimental mycoses. Additionally, Aspergillus and Fusarium were consistently differentiated from Candida. The binding affinities of the different lectins corresponded well with the individual sugar composition of the fungal cell walls.