ALBERT SOLUTION VERSUS POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF TINEA-VERSICOLOR

Background. The diagnosis of tinea versicolor can usually be made by clinical examination. Either potassium hydroxide (KOH) or Wood's light fluorescence are used to corroborate the diagnosis. Albert's solution has been reported as a method of visualizing dermatophytes. We compared Albert's solution to KOH in the diagnostic evaluation of tinea versicolor. Methods. Twenty patients with clinical tinea versicolor were examined for the presence of hyphae and/or spores utilizing Albert's solution or KOH (20%) with dimethyl sulfoxide. Results. All patients were positive for hyphae and/or spores by both methods. Preparations with Alberts' stains were faster and easier to read. Conclusions. Albert's solution is an alternate method to stain for fungal elements in patients with tinea versicolor.