Effects of Low Alternating Current on Growth of the Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis

Park, Joonsoo; Kim, Hyungrok; Kwon, Dong Rak; Kwon, Dae Gil

Abstract

BACKGROUND
A large number of studies have been focused on bacterial growth but limited number of literature has been reported regarding modification of fungal growth.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate effects of low alternating current on Microsporum (M.) canis and Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans growth.
METHODS
Inoculums of M. canis and T. tonsurans were applied to twenty-four PDACT (potato dextrose agar-corn meal-Tween 80) plates with a sterile spreader. Petri dishes were allocated into 8 groups according to the fungi species and the amperage delivered to these dishes. Group A, B, C and D were M. canis group and E, F, G, H were T. tonsurans group. The given amperage of electric current was 0.5 µA in group A and E, 2 µA in B and F, 4 µA in C and G. No electric current was given in group D and H.
RESULTS
In groups A, B, and C the average time elapsed for colony appearances were 42 hours, 43.17 hours, and 40.5 hours respectively. The average time elapsed in the control group D was 88.67 hours. In groups E, F, and G the average time elapsed for colony appearances were 63.67 hours, 61.83 hours, and 64.17 hours respectively. The average time elapsed in the control group H was 90.60 hours.
CONCLUSION
With electric current, faster fungal growth was observed in the amperage range used in this study. Based on these results, we hypothesized that microcurrent helps the fungal growth.