Observations concerning the staining properties of the macroconidia of certain dermatophyton species

Staining of the macroconidia of several Dermatophyton species by lactophenol-cotton blue was investigated. Young macroconidia stain variably; their cytoplasm may appear homogeneous or inhomogeneous. The possible explanation seems to be variation in the composition of the cytoplasm. In some macroconidia dark-staining filament was seen along the longitudinal axis. Mature macroconidia showed basal or basal+apical homogeneous deep staining. The intensive apical staining suggests that the apical structure differs from the structure of the side wall.