APPLICATION OF HISTOCHEMICAL STAINS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS AND MYCOBACTERIOSES: IMPACT ON PHARMACEUTICAL CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING
Abstract
Early diagnosis of fungal infections and mycobacterioses represents a critical challenge in hospital practice, given the need for prompt and specific therapeutic regimens. This study analyzed the impact of histochemical staining techniques — Grocott-Gomori (GMS), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), and Ziehl-Neelsen — on clinical pharmaceutical decision-making. An integrative literature review was conducted, focusing on evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of these techniques and their application in pharmacotherapy management. The results indicate that direct morphological visualization enables accurate differentiation between colonization and invasive infection, as well as correction of misleading differential diagnoses. It is concluded that the interpretation of these reports by the clinical pharmacist is an essential pillar for the rational use of antimicrobials, allowing safe de-escalation interventions, reduction of drug toxicity (especially in tuberculosis regimens and systemic antifungals), and mitigation of adverse events, establishing histochemistry as a strategic tool for patient safety.
Author Biography
Pharmacist graduated from Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), specialist in Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy from Universidade FAVENI, and postgraduate student in Clinical and Microbiological Analysis at FACUMINAS.
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