A SIMPLE METHOD FOR PREPARING HOMOGENEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF DERMATOPHYTES AND FOR ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF VIABLE PARTICLES IN THESE SUSPENSIONS

[摘要] A simple method for fragmenting fungous clumps into a grossly homogeneous suspension of organisms and for estimating the number of viable fragments in such a suspension is described. Fragmentation is accomplished by subjecting portions of a fungous culture in saline to the action of a stirrer equipped with an easily prepared stirring rod. Homogeneity is demonstrated by a modified standard bacterial plate count method. The number of viable particles is estimated from the mean number of colonies obtained in a series of replicate plantings. The method has the advantages of utilizing low-cost, readily available laboratory equipment and requiring no extraordinary measures to control contamination.