Abstract
Antibiotic production by dermatophytic fungi was demonstrated. Among 10 anthropophilic dermato-phytes strains tested for their ability to produce antibiotics, four were found to be producers. The out-come for a qualitative identification of the produced antibiotics reveals four types ; a penicillin-like sub-stance produced byTrichophyton gourvillii, and two different types of unknown substances obtained from two strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitales and the kojic acid-like antibiotic substance produced by Trichophyton verruccosum. Key words: Dermatophytes, antibiotics, bioassay.
Highlights
Dermatophytes are group of closely related fungi that have the capacity to invade keratinezed tissue of humans and animals to produce an infection (Zagnoli, 2005)
Antibiotic production by dermatophytes was first investigated by Nakumura (1932) who discovered antibacterial activity in the Trichophyton species
The classification of antibiotic type was made by Lapin-scott (1987) who thought dermatophytes produced a penicillin-like substance based on observations of activity against bacteria
Summary
Dermatophytes are group of closely related fungi that have the capacity to invade keratinezed tissue (skin, hair, nail) of humans and animals to produce an infection (Zagnoli, 2005). A dermatophyte infection may range from mild to severe as consequence of the hosts reactions to metabolitic products of the fungus. Dermatophytes and congeners like most filamentous fungi of ascomycetous affinity have a secondary metabolism characterized by the production of substantial quantities of distinctive metabolites (Weizman and Summerbell, 1995). Dermatophytes fungi have long been known to produce antibacterial substances. The ability of dermatophytes to produce penicillin-like substances in vitro has been reported by several authors, (Uri et al, 1957; Youssef et al, 1978; Hammadi et al, 1988). Antibiotic production by dermatophytes was first investigated by Nakumura (1932) who discovered antibacterial activity in the Trichophyton species. The classification of antibiotic type was made by Lapin-scott (1987) who thought dermatophytes produced a penicillin-like substance based on observations of activity against bacteria.
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