Korean J Med Mycol.  2018 Sep;23(3):68-73. 10.17966/JMI.2018.23.3.68.

Stimulatory and Inhibitory Effects of Alternating Current on the Growth of Trichophyton rubrum

• Kim H
• Kwon DR
• Park J

• KMID: 2436954
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17966/JMI.2018.23.3.68

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Electric stimulation has been investigated for potential medical uses. Numerous articles have been published that focused on antimicrobial effects of electric current, but few studies have reported regarding modifications of fungal growth following exposure to electric current.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of low alternating current on the growth of Trichophyton rubrum.
METHODS
In total, 35 plates inoculated with T. rubrum were allocated to one of the five treatment groups (groups A, B, C, D, or E). Fungal colonies in each group were treated with a different intensity of electric current (0.5 µA, 4 µA, 25 µA, 600 µA, or 900 µA) at a frequency of 8 Hz. The area of each fungal colony was measured every other day for 7 days to evaluate the effects on fungal growth.
RESULTS
No experimental groups treated with electric current showed any statistically significant differences against the control groups.
CONCLUSION
Microcurrent did not show any detectable changes in the viability of the fungus. Our findings indicate that microcurrent may affect fungal seeding to the media rather than the growth rate. Unfortunately, there are limited studies on this topic, and further research is warranted to clarify the precise effect of electric stimulation on the activity of microorganisms.

Keyword

Antifungal; Antimicrobial; Electric stimulus; Fungal growth; Microcurrent; Trichophyton rubrum

MeSH Terms

Electric Stimulation
Fungi
Trichophyton*