Differntiation of trichophyton rubrum, trichophyton mentagrophytes and trichophyton tonsurans using defined media

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to differentiate between Trichophyton species using different media. A total of 60 strains of Trichophyton rubrum [21], T. mentagrophytes [24], and T. tonsurans [15], were inoculated onto 4 culture media. Bromocresol-purple milk solid glucose medium [BCP-MS-G] and a solid minimal basal medium containing either / or 5% Sorbitol, 1% Acetate and 10% Sodium chloride [NaCl]. All plates were examined after 7 days incubation at 25°C. Within 7 days, 20 [95%] strains of T.rubrum and 15[100%] strains of T. tonsurans were found to have negative alkaline reaction on BCP-MS-G medium, and inhibited by 20% NaCl medium. By comparison, 17 [80%] strains of T. rubrum exhibited heavy growth on sorbitol, whereas 18 [85%] strains had no growth on acetate medium. None of the 4 media above was independently able to differentiate between Trichophyton species but in combination they were able to do so without significant decrease in reliability