Dormancy of Trichophyton mentagrophytes arthroconidia

Arthroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes demonstrated an exogenous type of dormancy under environmental conditions unsuitable for germination, provided that these conditions were not lethal. Germination did not occur at 4 degrees C unless arthroconidia were shifted up to 37 degrees C. At 45 degrees C germination was inhibited even when arthroconidia were shifted down to 37 degrees C. Germination was dependent on humidified incubation conditions. The presence of human corneocytes enhanced the germination of arthroconidia in the presence of moisture.