Catálogo de Investigaciones | 2013-2014

49 CATÁLOGO DE INVESTIGACIONES | AÑO ACADÉMICO 2013 -2014 Debaromyces Hansenii’s Killer Toxin, a Potential Treatment against Superficial Mycosis Debaromyces hansenii is a marine yeast that inhibits the growth of certain types of fungi through the production of killer toxins which has made it an important target of study for potential agricultural and medical applications. Dermatophytes are medically important fungi that cause skin disorders such as pyoderma or dermatophytid, which can spread from the affected area to feet, scalp, groin, or nails. If not treated, it can cause more serious disease like cellulitis, osteomilitis etc. There are three types of dermatophytes: Tricophyton sp., Microsporum sp. and Epidermophyton flucossum . We recollected 73 samples of patients with diverse skin lesions. The samples were inoculated on Dermatophytes Test Medium (DTM). Thirty five samples were positive for dermatophytes. The most common species of dermatophites found were T.rubrum (37.14%) and T. mentagrophites (34.28%). Other species found were T.tonsurans (11.42%), M.audoinii (5.71%) and E.fluocossum (11.42%). These fungi species were characterized macroscopically and microscopically, and tested against D. hansenii strains in order to determine the yeasts killer toxin effect on the fungi’s growth. We tested three D. hansenii strains, BCS 006, CBS 767 and Y17914, whose killer toxin activity had been tested in our lab against other fungi. Our results proved these D. hansenii strains exhibit excellent fungistatic properties and could be considered as a potential resource for treating skin disorders caused by dermatophytes. yorki e. serrano natal y jaime cardona centro de enseñanza e investigación en biotecnología y agrobiotecnología mentor: dra. hna. nancy arroyo gonzález debaryomyces hansenii tricophyton microsporum sp