Which medium is selective for dermatophytes?

Which medium is selective for dermatophytes?

• A. Mycosel Agar
• B. Dermatophyte Test Medium
• C. BHI Agar
• D. SABHI Agar

Answer: (B)

Dermatophyte Test Medium is crafted to both allow dermatophytes to grow and reveal their activity by a visible color change. It includes inhibitors like chloramphenicol to suppress bacteria and cycloheximide to suppress many non-dermatophyte fungi, while providing keratin as a nutrient source that dermatophytes can utilize. When dermatophytes metabolize keratin, the medium’s pH shifts and the indicator turns from yellow to red, giving a clear positive result. This combination makes the medium selectively supportive of dermatophytes and differentiates their growth from other organisms. Other media may be selective for fungi in general or non-selective, but they don’t provide the same differential color change that specifically signals dermatophyte metabolism.

Dermatophyte Test Medium is crafted to both allow dermatophytes to grow and reveal their activity by a visible color change. It includes inhibitors like chloramphenicol to suppress bacteria and cycloheximide to suppress many non-dermatophyte fungi, while providing keratin as a nutrient source that dermatophytes can utilize. When dermatophytes metabolize keratin, the medium’s pH shifts and the indicator turns from yellow to red, giving a clear positive result. This combination makes the medium selectively supportive of dermatophytes and differentiates their growth from other organisms. Other media may be selective for fungi in general or non-selective, but they don’t provide the same differential color change that specifically signals dermatophyte metabolism.