GROWTH STUDIES OF SOME DERMATOPHYTES ON SIX GROWTH MEDIA

Abstract

Growth patterns of ten strains of dermatophyte: Epidermohyton fluccosum, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum ferrugineum, Microsporum nanum, Trichophyton concentricum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. quinckeanun,, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton tonsurans  and Trichophyton violaceum  using six different growth media: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), One percent (1%) Peptone Agar, Malt Extract Agar (MEA), Nutrient Agar (NA) and Yeast Extract Agar (YEA)] were carried out. The results from this study revealed that one percent (1%) peptone agar is the best medium for the cultivation Trichophyton and Epidermaphyton species, while Microsporum species attained their optimal growth on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). The growth studies also revealed that nutrient constituents of each medium can interfere with the phenotypic characteristics of dermatophytic species. These findings will help to make the right choice of growth medium to employ in isolating this group of microorganisms and to prevent wrong diagnosis of dermatomycoses in health-care centers.