CSB (Chicago Sky Blue) Stain is a contrast stain for the rapid office diagnosis of fungal infections of the skin so treatment can be initiated immediately.
CSB Fungal Stain has been confirmed by numerous studies to be superior to the standard KOH (potassium hydroxide) microscopic wet mount examination of fungal elements:
Baddireddy K, Poojary S. A novel contrast stain for the rapid diagnosis of dermatophytoses: A cross-sectional comparative study of Chicago sky blue 6B stain, potassium hydroxide mount and culture. Indian J Dermatol 2019;64:311-4.
Mourad B, Ismail M, Hawwam S, Msseha M, Hassan R. Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Fluorescent Staining And Chicago Sky Blue Staining As Methods For Diagnosis Of Dermatophytosis In Hair And Nails. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:751-758.
Sukmawati, N., Rahmadewi, R., & Ervianti, E. (2019). A comparative study of Chicago Sky Blue and ParkerTM ink blue black potassium hidroxide in the diagnosis of dermatophytes. Dermatology Reports, 11(s1).
Afshar P, Larijani LV, Rouhanizadeh H. A comparison of conventional rapid methods in diagnosis of superficial and cutaneous mycoses based on KOH, Chicago sky blue 6B and calcofluor white stains. Iran J Microbiol. 2018 Dec;10(6):433-440.
Prakash R, Prashanth HV, Ragunatha S, Kapoor M, Anitha TK, Krishnamurthy V. Comparative study of efficacy, rapidity of detection, and cost-effectiveness of potassium hydroxide, calcofluor white, and Chicago sky blue stains in the diagnosis of dermatophytoses. Int J Dermatol. 2016 Apr;55(4):e172-5.
Liu Z, Sheng P, Yang Y, Li W, Huang W, Wang J, et al. Comparison of modified Chicago sky blue stain and potassium hydroxide mount for the diagnosis of dermatomycoses and onychomycoses. J Microbiol Methods. 2015;112:21–3.
Lodha N, Poojary SA. A novel contrast stain for the rapid diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor: A comparison of Chicago Sky Blue 6B stain, potassium hydroxide mount and culture. Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60:340–4.
Tambosis E, Lim CA. Comparison of the contrast stains, Chicago blue, chlorazole black, and Parker ink, for the rapid diagnosis of skin and nail infections. Int J Dermatol. 2012;51:935–8.
