THE ATTACK OF CHEMICALLY MODIFIED KERATIN BY CERTAIN DERMATOPHYTES

[摘要] The ability of the dermatophytes to grow in keratin is discussed, the differences between such growth in vivo and in vitro being emphasized. While growing on keratin, modified by breaking the naturally occurring cross-linkages between keratin molecules, representative strains of Microsporum canis, M. audouini, Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum have shown much more marked and rapid attack as compared with controls. Correspondingly, attack was significantly less when these fungi were grown on keratin treated under specified conditions in order to increase cross-linkages on the side chains. The implications of these findings upon the etiology of fungous infections and upon some aspects of treatment is discussed.