Since the culture of M. furfur is impossible, the KOH wet mount and various staining techniques have been applied for identification of the M. furfur. However, these methods still have many disp uted points. Practically, the KOH wet mount method is in common use but there are many difficulties in identifying the fungi.
The author intended to suggest an easy and simple method for identification of the fungi, using the KOH and various other staining solutions, and comparing this with many known methods. At the same time, by applying the best method of identification which the author was able to develop, distribution of the fungi in the horny layer and the viability of the fungi during treatment were observed.
1. In identifying the fungi, 1% toluidine blue was most excellent, but hematoxylin, eosin, cotton blue, Giemsa stain, and Wright stain were not so satisfactory.
2. After staining with 1% toluidine blue to the skin lesion scotch tape was applied to the lesion briefly and then examined under direct microscope. This was most easy and convenient method.
3. Repeated scotch taping from 1 to 12 times produced no change in the distribution of fungi in the horny layer, but after 28 applications there was remarkable reduction of the amount of the fungi and no fungi was demonstrated in groups taped more than 46 times.
4. No influence was noted in the distribution of fungi after repeated irradiation of Ultra-violet light once daily for 18 days.
5. Continous daily application of 25% sodium thios.lfate solution for average 3.9 days, caused the disappearance of fungi and no fungal elements were found following 80 days of successive observation.
6. Application of 2.5% selenium suicide on alternate day for average 6.2 days, caused the disapp earance of fungi and no fungal elements were found following 55-62 days of successive observation.
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