Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of using 20% potassium hydroxide in the preparation of the skin sample?
How long should the potassium hydroxide be allowed to act on the skin sample before microscopic examination?
Which compound is typically added to potassium hydroxide to make the organism fluorescence during microscopic examination?
What technique was used for collecting the skin sample in the initial procedure?
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What is the significance of making the organism fluorescent during microscopic examination?
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Study Notes
Skin Sample Collection and Preparation
- A lab technician collects a skin sample by gently scraping skin scales with a glass slide.
- The scraping enhances sample collection without damaging skin tissue excessively.
- A 20% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution is applied to the sample to clear debris and facilitate examination.
Microscopy Procedure
- The KOH treatment is left for 15 minutes, allowing effective clearing of the skin sample.
- After preparation, the sample is studied under a microscope to identify fungal elements or other organisms.
Fluorescent Enhancement
- To make the organisms within the sample fluorescent, a fluorochrome such as calcofluor white, or a similar reagent, is added to the KOH preparation.
- This fluorescence aids in the visualization and identification of dermatophytes or other infectious agents under ultraviolet light.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the preparation of skin samples in microbiology. This quiz focuses on the use of potassium hydroxide and the techniques necessary for identifying organisms under the microscope. Understand the processes that enhance the visibility of fungal elements in skin scrapings.
