Dermatophyte Morphology: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

The Dermatophytes are a broad group of fungi belonging to the class Fungii imperfecti that are the causative agents of dermophytosis (ringworm infections). The present work offers an overview of the morphology of these fungi found in cultures according to the scanning electron microscope. The fungi were obtained from cultures left to develop over variable periods of time that would be sufficient for growth. The morphological features of some dermatophytes obtained in artificial cultures are detailed: M. canis, M. gypseum, M. audouini, M. cookei, T. mentagrophytes, T. schoulemu, T. verrucosuin, T. ajelloi, T. prohferans, and E. floccosum. In all cases an analysis of the morphology of the reproductive mycelium developed in the culture was made: hyphae, macroconidia, microconidia, and chlamydospores; details that serve to distinguish one fungus from another. In the perfect forms, the morphology of the peridial hyphae and of the ascocarps (cleistotethia) are described