Characterization of siderophores produced by different species of the dermatophytic fungiMicrosporum andTrichophyton

The dermatophytic fungiTrichophyton spp andMicrosporum spp secrete ferrichrome type siderophores under low iron conditions. Three different species ofMicrosporum, i.e.M. qypseum, M. canis andM. audouinii, as well asT. rubrum produce ferrichrome C and ferricrocin, whereasT. mentagrophytes andT. tonsurans produce only ferrichrome. The identification of the siderophores was established by means of thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy.