Abstract
There are increasing numbers of invasive fungal infections due to a growing number of high-risk patients and expanding spectrum of pathonic fungi. Due to their reduced susceptibility to antifungals, treatment failure is more frequent and mortality increased in the patients.
Thus, accurate and early diagnosis is increasingly taking key position in the management of lifethreatening fungal infections. Mycological laboratory must have basic equipment and dispose of a spectrum of methods, which allows both fast diagnostics, and reliable identification at the species (Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus) or, at least, generic level (e.g., Mucor, Rhizopus, Fusarium).
Last but not least, experienced and permanently educating staff represent an indispensable part of mycology diagnostics.