Development of arthrospores of Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Abstract

Arthrosporogenesis of the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes was examined by light and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Sabouraud dextrose agar plates were inoculated with microconidia and incubated in an atmosphere of 8% CO2. Typical germination and hyphal branching continued to day 4, when hyphae began to be increasingly coated with a granular-fibrillar material. Multiple replication of nuclei and formation of segregating septa followed. By day 6 the thick surface mesh sometimes was restricted to protruding rings, probably over septa. Between days 6 and 7, after thickening of outer and septal walls, units began to round and separate. Triangular gaps, which developed at the junction of septa and outer wall layers, enlarged so that spores were held together at their poles and along a tangential ring. With elongation of the spore to its barrel shape, the halves of the septum separated and the ring pulled apart, leaving a jagged, circular flange originating from the outer layer of cell wall. After the final separation of surface fibrils, the outer layer of cell wall extended toward the poles, covering the apparently exposed inner wall layer. Newly formed arthrospores, which measured 2.0 to 3.3 by 2.9 to 3.8 μm and possessed walls of about 0.33-μm thickness, had smooth sides but somewhat rough poles.