Idea Exchange: A variation of the acetate tape method

Instead of using regular acetate tape strips to collect samples to help diagnose Malassezia dermatitis, use packing tape. Cut off a 2- to 3-in piece of clear packing tape, hold it in your palm or wrap it around your fingers, and press it repeatedly onto the area of interest. After collecting enough debris, cut the tape to fit a glass slide, place a drop of Sedi-stain (Becton Dickinson) on a slide, and place the tape sticky side down on top of the slide. The tape serves as its own coverslip. After 60 seconds, you can read the slide under a high-dry or oil-immersion lens.

Dr. Anita Poling

Avon, Ohio