Colonization and Penetration of the Stratum Corneum by Dermatophyte Fungi

[摘要] The colonization and penetration of stratum corneum by dermatophyte fungi were investigated employing arthrospores of three strains, two of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and one of Trichophyton interdigitale. The adherence of arthrospores to corneocytes from palm and sole and germination in suspensions of corneocytes from the same body areas were determined. The growth of arthrospores on stripped sheets of stratum corneum from different body areas, namely, sole, leg, groin, abdomen, back, cheek, forearm, and palm, was also studied. The ultrastructure of corneocyte and stratum corneum - dermatophyte relationship was investigated by scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy. Scale from cases of tinea pedis was also investigated ultrastructurally. The resistance of arthrospores to ordinary environmental and desiccated conditions in the presence and absence of corneocytes was studied and the type of dormancy expressed by arthrospores was investigated. The effect of exposing arthrospores to distilled water for 24 hr on their germination in corneocyte suspensions and on stratum corneum was studied. The possibility of using corneocytes as a model for assessing antifungal activity of drugs against dermatophytes was explored. Two phases of investigation were conducted; phase I consisted of arthrospore germination in corneocyte suspensions in the presence of antifungal drugs and phase II consisted of firstly inducing arthrospore germination in corneocyte suspensions then adding antifungal drugs. Arthrospore formation was studied under various cultural conditions; temperature of 37

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow

[关键词] Medicine