Published in Volume 4, Issue 1
Dermatophytes present in soil serve as important environmental reservoirs capable of causing
superficial fungal infections in humans. The increasing resistance of dermatophytes to
conventional antifungal agents poses a significant challenge to effective treatment. This study
evaluated the antifungal susceptibility patterns of dermatophytes isolated from garden soils to
commonly used conventional antifungal agents. Soil samples were collected from various
locations and processed for the isolation of dermatophytes using standard culture techniques. Pathogenic isolates were identified through macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, and
molecular characterization. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the
microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum
fungicidal concentration (MFC) of selected antifungal agents, including ketoconazole, fluconazole, griseofulvin, cotrimazole, terbinafine, and tinidazole. Four pathogenic dermatophyte
species were identified: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Paraphyton cookei, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton tonsurans. Susceptibility testing revealed generally low sensitivity of the
isolates to most conventional antifungal agents. Terbinafine demonstrated the highest antifungal
activity, showing lower MIC and MFC values compared to other agents. Variations in
susceptibility patterns were observed among the isolates, indicating possible differences in
resistance mechanisms. Dermatophytes isolated from environmental soil sources exhibit varying
levels of resistance to commonly used antifungal agents. Terbinafine remains the most effective
antifungal agent among those tested. Continuous surveillance of antifungal susceptibility patterns
is essential to guide effective therapeutic strategies.
Ike, V. E., Umeaku, C. N., Iheukwumere, I. H., Ezenwata, S. I., Ezekwueche, S. N., Uzoagba, C. E. (2026). Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Environmental Dermatophytes to Conventional Agents. Tropical Journal of Applied Natural Sciences, Volume 4, Issue 1, 123-136.
Ike, V. E., Umeaku, C. N., Iheukwumere, I. H., Ezenwata, S. I., Ezekwueche, S. N., Uzoagba, C. E.. "Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Environmental Dermatophytes to Conventional Agents." Tropical Journal of Applied Natural Sciences, vol. Volume 4, Issue 1, 2026, pp. 123-136.
Ike, V. E., Umeaku, C. N., Iheukwumere, I. H., Ezenwata, S. I., Ezekwueche, S. N., Uzoagba, C. E.. "Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Environmental Dermatophytes to Conventional Agents." Tropical Journal of Applied Natural Sciences Volume 4, Issue 1 (2026): 123-136.
@article{antifungalsusceptibilitypatternsofenvironmentaldermatophytestoconventionalagents2026,
author = Ike, V. E., Umeaku, C. N., Iheukwumere, I. H., Ezenwata, S. I., Ezekwueche, S. N., Uzoagba, C. E.,
title = Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Environmental Dermatophytes to Conventional Agents,
journal = Tropical Journal of Applied Natural Sciences,
year = 2026,
volume = Volume 4, Issue 1,
pages = 123-136
}
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