Scanning Electron Microscopic Examination of Dermatophytes

Yoon, Kyeong Han; Chung, Tae Suk; Shin, Hang Kye; Bang, Dongsik; Lee, Kwang Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand the morphologic characteristics for the identification of a microorganism. Electron microscopy has contributed a great deal to the field of mycology. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) has become a useful tool to study three-dimensional images of fungi. Vacuum dessicator aqueous fixation is a useful sample preparation technique for SEM examination of fungal specimens without surFace distortions.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to observe the three-dimensional structures of dermatophytes preserving their natural growth characteristics.
METHODS
Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum were isolated and cultured on Sabourd agar, corn meal agar, or rice agar plate. Vacuum dessicator aqueous fixation was utilized as p preparation technique for SEM examinations of fungi.
RESULTS
Vacuum dessicator aqueous fixation led us to examine the aerial mycelia including conidia of the dermatophytes under SEM. The five species of dermatophytes showed their own characteristic structures especially on microconidia and macroconidia.
CONCLUSION
The use of ultrastructural research has made it possible to identify the species of fungi and can be expanded and improved along with the development of SEM and specimen preparation techniques.