Coordinators: Diego H. Cáceres, Colombia, Marisol Domingues Muro, Regielly Cognialli, Brazil and Norma Fernandez, Argentina.
📅 July 22nd, 01 p.m. – 05:00 p.m.
📍 Federal University of Parana - Campus Botânico Garden, LEAC
Workshop Description
Accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for the appropriate management of fungal infections. Despite the development of molecular and advanced diagnostic tools, conventional methods remain fundamental in routine clinical mycology laboratories worldwide.
This workshop will cover conventional diagnostic approaches used for the detection and identification of fungal pathogens causing a broad spectrum of human disease, ranging from superficial mycoses to invasive and opportunistic fungal infections. Participants will be introduced to key laboratory techniques including direct microscopic examination, fungal culture, micromorphological identification, and immunodiagnostic assays. Practical demonstrations will highlight the processing of different clinical specimens and the interpretation to the diagnosis of fungal infections.
Target Audience
Clinical microbiologists, medical mycologists, laboratory scientists, infectious disease specialists, residents, graduate students, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of fungal infections.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Understand the principles and applications of conventional diagnostic methods used in medical mycology.
Perform and interpret direct microscopic examination of clinical specimens for the detection of fungal elements.
Recognize the main macroscopic and micromorphological characteristics used for fungal identification in culture.
Describe the principles and clinical applications of immunodiagnostic assays for fungal infections.
Discuss the advantages and limitations of conventional diagnostic techniques in routine laboratory settings.
