Mycological diagnosis of superficial fungal infections: French ANOFEL/LABAC recommendations

Superficial fungal infections, mainly caused by dermatophytes but also by yeasts or molds, exhibit wide clinical variability and are a common reason for medical consultation. Recent epidemiological trends, particularly the emergence of extensive cutaneous dermatophytoses, -highlight the need for rigorous mycological diagnosis. The development of nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT) and advances in proteomics (MALDI-TOF) have prompted a reassessment of the role of conventional methods, without replacing them. These recommendations aim to guide biologists and COFRAC auditors in selecting and implementing the various available techniques, in order to harmonize practices and improve the overall quality of mycological diagnosis.