Importance of Collaboration Between Microbiology Laboratories, Pathology Departments, Dermatologists, and Clinical Mycologists in the Diagnosis of Fungal Infectious Diseases Through the Accurate Detection of Fungi.

Abstract

Fungal detection by microbiology testing is essential for diagnosing fungal infections. In routine clinical microbiology, limited specimens are automatically covered for fungi; hence, detection of fungi from many other clinical specimens depends on requests from clinicians. Microbiology laboratories should collaborate with clinicians to build a system to ensure that tests can be requested. Microbiology laboratories determine culture conditions based on the epidemiology of fungal infections by specimen types. If a fungus is detected on microscopic examination, it is highly significant as a causative, and if detected on pathological examination, it can be additionally differentiated from other fungal species. Microbiology laboratories, clinicians, and pathology departments must share information and improve fungal detection. When a small number of fungi are detected in culture, clinical backgrounds are essential for interpretation, and collaboration with a clinician and assistance from a dermatologist or clinical mycologist can make the diagnosis more certain.Collaboration with microbiology laboratories, pathology departments, dermatologists, and clinical mycologists can help clinicians and lead to diagnostic support for fungal infections.