The diagnosis of deep mycoses by morphologic methods

The morphologic diagnosis of deep mycoses, although ideally accomplished by culture, often has to be made from tissue sections for smears, when cultures are not available. Especially on specimens containing necrotic foci, the use of special stains is absolutely necessary, since on hematoxylin and eosin sections many fungi cannot be seen in the necrotic debris. Stains are discussed and the results with different organisms are illustrated. Since recognition of fungi in tissues with granulomatous reaction often leads to specific and curative therapy, their identification is one of the most satisfying aspects of the surgical pathologist's work.