Despite its advantages, the KOH test has several limitations. It is primarily qualitative and cannot identify the specific type of fungus; it only confirms the presence of fungal elements. Additionally, the accuracy of the test relies heavily on the skill of the technician performing it. False negatives can occur if the sample is inadequate or if the fungal elements are sparse. Moreover, the test does not provide information about the antifungal susceptibility of the organism, which is crucial for treatment decisions.
