Human Pathogenic Moulds
Three synoptic or matrix identification keys are available for the morphological identification of human pathogenic moulds.
Key to Ascomycetous moulds
A Key for the morphological identification of medically important Ascomycota (conidial moulds) to genus and/or species level. Identification is based on microscopic morphology and culture characters.
Key to Zygomycetous moulds
A key for the morphological identification of medically important species from the Entomophthorales, Mucorales and Mortierellales (Zygomycetes). Identification is based primarily on sporangial morphology.
Key to Dermatophyte moulds
A key for the identification of dermatophytes. Identification is based on microscopic morphology of the micro and/or macroconidia and culture characters.
These synoptic or matrix keys are designed to help medical laboratories identify pathogenic moulds by microscopic morphology and culture characteristics. Characters or features used for identification are outlined in the description for each key. For ascomycetous (conidial) moulds it is mandatory to see the conidia to make an identification, therefore you must have a good microscopic slide preparation. For zygomycetous moulds belonging to the Entomophthorales, Mucorales and Mortierellales, identification is based primarily on sporangial morphology. For the identification of dermatophytes microscopic morphology of the micro and/or macroconidia is the most reliable identification character, but culture characteristics also play a role.
Lucid Player Help. Lucid Pathogenic Mould Keys. Other Lucid Keys
Instructions
The Lucid Player provides an effective and powerful means of interacting with the data embodied in Lucid keys, enhancing your ability to make identification and diagnostic decisions and provides relevant information.
The identification process involves eliminating taxa according to characteristics associated with the specific group of organisms you are trying to identify. This process can be supported by photographs, drawings, and text, all of which help to confirm whether the selections you have made are correct.
The Lucid Player provides a number of functions to help with the identification. The most potent of these is the Player’s ‘Best’ function. ‘Best’ helps you navigate through the key’s features by automatically recommending the most powerful feature, the feature with the most discriminating power to split the taxa remaining list, thereby finding the fastest route to a successful identification.
Lucid Key Toolbar
Lucid multi-access keys are simple to use once some basic functions are understood. The process involves working through each group of features and selecting (one at a time) those features that best match the fungus you are trying to identify. Keep doing this until you have narrowed the options down to just one, or a few, remaining taxa. You can select features in any order you like which means you can still make progress towards identifying the fungus if some features are missing from the material you are viewing.
Features are comprised of characters (e.g. conidial septation) and character states (e.g. two-celled conidia). Entities are either Genus or species (taxa).
On start up only the Features Available and Entities Remaining windows will have content (which can be expanded by clicking on the small down arrows). As features are selected (using the tick boxes) they will appear in the Features Chosen window, and the entities that don’t possess those features will be discarded (Entities Discarded).
The Features have illustrative images, and the Entities have sample images and Description Sheets, all of which can be viewed by clicking on the icons to the left of the feature or entity name.