Use of commercially available cryogenic vials for long-term preservation of dermatophyte fungi.

The use of commercially available cryogenic vials (Microbank vials) stored at -70 degrees C for the storage and preservation of dermatophyte fungi was investigated. None of the 200 strains of dermatophytes examined, representing 21 species, showed a loss of viability after they had been stored for periods ranging from 1 week to 2 years at -70 degrees C. All strains showed typical colonial and microscopic morphologies following revival