USE OF INK BLUE IN IDENTIFICATION OF DERMATOPHYTES

[摘要] The inclusion of ink blue into an agar medium allowed the release of alkali by cultures of 24 species of keratinophilic fungi to be measured quantitatively after 7 days growth. Cultures of non-keratinophilic fungi failed to discolor this pH indicator. Alkali production was not correlated with the pro-teolytic activity of the fungus. It is suggested that use may be made of the discoloration produced by keratinophilic fungi for the rapid identification of morphologically uncertain strains as keratinophilic and so potentially pathogenic.