An Improved Slide Culture Technique for the Study and Identification of Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract

The present paper describes an improved slide culture technique which is relatively easy to carry out and is useful for practical diagnostic work in mycology, as well as for classroom teaching. Since pathogenic fungi grow slowly, and hence may easily be crowded out by more rapidly developing contaminants, provision has been made to exclude such contaminating organisms by the use of a paraffin seal. The method also makes possible the direct inoculation of the culture slide with a large inoculum, thus, insuring growth of pathogenic species. Since identification depends to a large degree upon the presence of typical spores, a new specially devised potato glucose agar is recommended for use with this slide culture for stimulating early and abundant sporulation. Lastly, this improved slide culture technique is designed to permit the easy prepn. from the culture of stained slides which preserve intact the morphological fea-tures of the fungus.