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PAS is optimal for diagnosing onychomycosis
Author(s) -
Barak Orr,
Asarch Adam,
Horn Thomas
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2010.01545.x
Subject(s) - nail (fastener) , grocott's methenamine silver stain , medicine , stain , dermatology , nail plate , periodic acid–schiff stain , significant difference , staining , pathology , materials science , metallurgy , psoriasis
Onychomycosis is a frequently treated fungal infection of the nail plate with morbidity in high‐risk populations. The diagnosis often relies on histopathologic analysis of nail plate specimens with the assistance of special stains. Pathologists utilize periodic acid schiff (PAS) and/or Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stains to highlight fungi within the nail plate. In a recent study of 51 PAS‐negative nail cases, it was concluded that GMS is superior to PAS in the diagnosis of onychomycosis. We expand on this study by investigating a larger number of PAS‐negative nail clippings determining whether GMS or PAS is superior in highlighting fungi in additional sections. There was no difference in the sensitivity of PAS vs. GMS (4.2 vs. 4.3%, p = 0.57); however, PAS was found to be significantly less expensive by 2.6‐fold. Taken together, these data suggest that the PAS stain is the optimal method for diagnosing onychomycosis. Barak O, Asarch A, Horn T. PAS is optimal for diagnosing onychomycosis.