The differentiation ofTrichophyton ment agrophitesfromT. rubrumby a simple urease test

Abstract

Seventy isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 104 isolates of T. rubrum, and 8 isolates of T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei were tested on a modified Christensen's medium for their ability to split urea. 92.8% of the isolates of T. mentagrophytes were positive within 7 days but no isolates of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei. A comparison of the urease and hair perforation tests was made. The urease test offers a rapid and reliable method of separating these two species. Estudou-se capacidade de fracionar ureia em 182 estipes de T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum e T. meatugrophytes var. erinacei utilizando meio Christensen's modificado. 92.8% das estipes de T. mentagrophytes deram resultato positivo ao fim de 7 dias, mas nemhuma estipe de T. rubrum e T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei deu prova positivo. Comperou-se a prova de urease com a de perfuração do cabelo e a prímera parece ser um método rápído e seguro para diferenciar ambas especies.