FERMENTATION REACTIONS OF THE RINGWORM FUNGI

Abstract

In a previous report it has been shown that most of the trichophyta ferment carbohydrates as do the other lower fungi. A medium was described which has proved satisfactory for studying their fermentation reactions. It was shown that they could be readily differentiated from common saprophytic fungi by their failure to ferment certain disaccharids and pentoses. These same tests brought out fermentative differences within the ringworm group and have been of sufficient aid to us in the identification of unknown strains to lead us to believe that the results would be of interest to other workers in this field. STRAINS OF FUNGI STUDIED As types of the various species of dermatophytes here discussed, we have used seventeen strains isolated and identified by Prof. Sabouraud. We have also included a strain ofEpidermophyton rubrum, isolated by R. S. Hodges, and a strain of our own which corresponds toEpidermophyton interdigitaledescribed