Influence of the soil on certain dermatophytes and their evolutional trend

Conclusions From our experiments it could be seen that a quite definite relationship exists between various dermatophytes and the soil which is expressed on the one side by antagonistic action of the microflora in the soil inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes and on the other, by ability of some dermatophytes to persist in the soil or to use the soil as habitat in their saprophytic life. This condition appears to be the reflection of the evolutive tendency of dermatophytes to develop from its primary habitat, the soil, to the parasitic life on man and animal. It is persumed that this evolution of dermatophytes is based on mutations of gens as one of the fundamental phenomenons in nature. It is obvious that this evolution of dermatophytes is not completed. Our experiments regardingT. mentagrophytes indicate that this species is at present still to a certain extent in a transitional evolutive stage with retained but limited ability to the life in the soil and with an evident tendency for adaption on small rodents and human beings. In this course of development on a lower level isK. ajelloi andM. gypseum with full ability of saprophytic life in the soil and with slowly but increasing pathogenicity for men and animals. E. I. Grin, Prof. of Dermatology, Med. Faculty, Univ. Sarajevo, Director Institute of Dermatovenerology. L. Oegovi, Prof. of Intern. Dis., Veter. Faculty, Univ. Sarajevo, Chief of Dept. of Mycology Inst. of Dermatovenerology.