This is a non-specific flourochrome that binds to cellulose and chitin in fungal cell walls. When ultraviolet (UV) light is shone on the stain it appears bluish white against a dark background, highlighting fungal structures (Fig 2.2).
Figure 2.2 Calcofluor White stain of hyphal fragments of a dermatophyte in a skin scraping. © Kaminski’s digital image library of medical mycology.
Table 1.2 Advantages and disadvantages of Calcoflour White