RESUMO
The authors analyze the findings of physiologic and morphologic studies of dermatophytes and other fungi and the evolution of their characteristics. The studies have shown that the proteolytic activity of the fungi in nutrient medium, as well as azocasein, leucinamide, and leucine beta-naphthylamide assimilation depend on the position of these fungi at the stage of their transition to parasitism. The findings evidence a stringent correlation between the amino acid nitrogen assimilation by the fungi, free amino acid composition in the mycelium, mineral salt assimilation, glucose utilization, and introduction of amino acid nitrogen into the mycelium. The significance of the medium pH for the growth of the fungi has been under study in order to reveal the localization of the fungi in humans and animals. Morphologic changes of the fungi during their evolution have been examined. A genotypical and phenotypical heterogeneity of dermatophyte populations has been revealed.
