The inhibitory effect exerted by steroid hormones on the in vitro growth characteristics of dermatophytes is poorly understood. As a hypothesis this inhibition could result from fungal adaptation to the human host. Therefore, in this study the susceptibility of T. verrucosum to androgenic hormones was done. As a result, testosterone proved to reduce fungal growth whereas hydrocortisone had no such effect. In general, T. verrucosum was shown to be more susceptible to steroid hormones. However, since fungal response to hormones consisted of growth inhibition and occurred only at steroid concentrations much higher than present in human, it cannot be assumed to contribute to this adaptation.
Aliasghar Gharachorloo and Hatef Ajoudanifar. Study of Relationship between Testosterone and Dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton verrucosum.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/javaa.2012.4013.4016
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1680-5593/javaa.2012.4013.4016