Wet Mount Method for fungi - Purpose, Procedure, Result, Interpretation, Disadvantages

Introduction to Wet Mount Method for Fungi

The Wet Mount Method for fungi is done when spores are not observed in scotch tape preparations. One such case is during the identification of Histoplasma capsulatum. The microconidia of H. capsulatum can be observed by the wet mount method.

Purpose of Wet Mount Method for Fungi

Wet Mount Method for fungi is done for identification of fungi for numerous reasons. It can be done in the laboratory for the purpose of medical diagnosis, research, epidemiology, or environmental studies.

Fungal Infection

Mycosis is a human infection caused by fungus. Pathogenic fungi may or may not produce toxins and regularly induce hypersensitivity to the host and their chemical constituent.

Since fungi are soil saprophytes, their ability to adapt to the host tissue environment and elicit diseases is extremely variable.

Mycoses are not usually transmitted sexually like viral, bacterial, or parasitic diseases. Balanoposthitis, caused by Candida spp. It may, however, be transmitted by sexual contact.

Requirements for Wet Mount Method for Fungi

• Microscope

• Cover Slip

• Bent Wire

• Bunsen Burner

• Clean, Grease-free slide

• Isolated fungal culture

Procedure of Wet Mount Method for Fungi

The Procedure of the Wet Mount Method for Fungi are as follows:

1. Take a sterile bent wire (90º angle) and cut a small piece of the isolated test colony.

   * The portion should be removed from a point that is intermediate between the periphery and the center (similar to cutting a piece of cake)

   * the piece taken should contain a small amount of supporting agar

2. Place the cut piece on a clean grease-free slide.

3. Add a drop of aniline blue or lactophenol cotton blue to the retrieved section.

4. Cover the whole structure with a coverslip and be careful to avoid bubbles.

5. Observe under a microscope.

Result, Interpretation of Wet Mount Method for Fungi

If there is the presence of fungal elements such as pseudophyphae, septate hyphae, aseptate hyphae, conidia, etc, the Wet Mount for fungi is positive.

If no fungal elements are seen during microscopy, the Wet Mount for fungi is negative.

Disadvantages of Wet Mount Method for Fungi

The arrangement of spores, which is an identifying, characteristic of fungi is disturbed when pressure is applied to the coverslip.

Since the arrangement of spores is not preserved, this method is not adequate for definitive diagnosis.