Catálogo de Investigaciones | 2014-2015

60 CIENCIAS Characterization of Debaromyces hansenii Strains as Potential Treatment Against Superficial Mycosis Dermatophytes are medically important fungi that cause skin disorders such as pyoderma or dermatophytosis, which can spread from the affected area to feet, scalp, groin, or nails. We had collected 73 samples of patients with diverse skin lesions and 35 samples were positive for dermatophytes. The most common dermatophytes isolated were T. rubrum (37.14%) and T. mentagrophites (34.28%). These fungal species were identified based on characteristic growth on selective and differential medium, a detailed study of their gross and microscopic morphology by comparison with standard descriptions given by Larone and using Riddle’s slide culture technique. We tested different Debaromyces hansenii strains against the dermatophytes in order to determine if the yeast killer toxin would affect fungal growth. We tested six D. hansenii strains, BCS 006, BCS 003, BCS 221, BCS 563, CBS 767 and Y17914, whose killer toxin activity had been tested in our lab against other fungi. YPD-MB and SGA agar plates were inoculated with whole yeast cells. Once the agar/yeast solidified a squared agar block of dermatophyte (1cm³) was inoculated in the medium to determine killer toxin activity shown by an inhibition halo to test the fungistatic and/or fungicidal activity of all yeast strains on the dermatophytes. Improved and better defined inhibition halos showed that the strains BCS 003 and BCS 006 exhibited excellent fungistatic properties specifically against T.mentagrophites , with BCS 006 revealing a larger inhibition halo. These yeast strains could be considered a potential resource for treating skin disorders caused by dermatophytes. yorki serrano y jaime cardona proyecto c.e.i.b.a. mentor: dra. hna. nancy arroyo gonzález dermatophytes debaromyces hansenii fungistatic fungicidal activity