Diagnostic value of a nested polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing cutaneous sporotrichosis from paraffin-embedded skin tissue.

The specific PCR assay used appears to be a useful tool for the prompt and accurate diagnosis of sporotrichosis. Using this method, it would be possible to diagnose cutaneous sporotrichosis for patients who were suspected of cutaneous sporotrichosis but tested negative on culturing, and for pathologically suspected cutaneous sporotrichosis patients for whom the culture test was not undertaken.