Trichophyton mentagrophytes, a dermatophyte, grows in keratin-rich areas such as skin, hair and nails. It is highly infectious and spreads through direct contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces. Due to its resistant nature, this pathogen poses a risk to public health. Moreover, the management of Trichophyton mentagrophytes infections has become increasingly difficult due to the development of resistance mechanisms to antifungal agents.
How do Trichophyton mentagrophytes become resistant to antifungal agents
T. mentagophytes adopt several mechanisms that allow them to survive in the presence of antifungal drugs.
- Activation of efflux pumps: The primary resistance mechanism in T. mentagrophytes is the overexpression of efflux pump proteins. They remove the antifungal agents from the fungal cells thus reducing the drug’s intracellular concentration and efficacy.
- Modifications in the ergosterol pathway: Ergosterol is an important component of the fungal cell membranes. Antifungal agents are designed to inhibit the synthesis of ergosterols. Mutations in the genes coding for enzymes of the ergosterol pathway can render these drugs ineffective.
- Formation of biofilms: Biofilms formed by T. mentagrophytes protect the organism from antifungal agents by reducing the penetration of drugs into their cells. They also create a microenvironment that helps in fungal survival and resistance development.
- Mutations in the genome: Mutations in the genome of the fungi can provide resistance by altering the drug’s target site, reducing drug affinity or by enhancing the fungus repair, replication and survival pathways.
How treatment options are affected by antifungal resistance
The resistance of Trichophyton mentagrophytes to antifungal treatments makes it more difficult to manage infections leading to extended treatment durations, increased healthcare costs and the need for alternative treatment approaches. By understanding the specific resistance mechanisms can help in the development of more effective antifungal agents and treatments.
How to deal with antifungal resistance of Trichophyton mentagrophytes?
Continuous research efforts are being made to develop new antifungal compounds and treatment approaches to tackle the antifungal resistance in T. mentagrophytes. These efforts involve developing drugs with new modes of action, use of combination therapies to treat severely infected people and the use of advanced drug delivery systems to improve the effectiveness of existing antifungal agents. Spreading awareness among people and taking prophylactic measures can help prevent the spread of infection.
What preventive measures need to be taken to control Trichophyton mentagrophytes?
- Maintain good personal hygiene,
- Avoid sharing personal items,
- Treating infected people immediately to reduce the risk of transmission and
- Regular sanitization of areas with high risks of contamination including medical areas.
What is the role of antimicrobial testing services?
Antimicrobial testing services play an important role in the fight against fungal infections offering a detailed analysis of T. mentagrophytes resistance patterns. By identifying the specific antifungal agents that remain effective against resistant strains these services guide clinicians and consumers in selecting the most appropriate antifungal agents for sanitization thus preventing the spread of infection.
How can MIS help?
Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS) offers a wide range of antifungal testing services that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of various materials against fungal growth. These tests are designed to help industries in ensuring the efficacy of their products against fungal growth. Antifungal tests offered at MIS include:
- AATCC 30: The AATCC 30 test determines the resistance of textile materials to mildew and rot.
- ASTM G21: The ASTM G21 is a qualitative test method which determines the effectiveness of synthetic polymer materials in inhibiting fungal growth.
- ASTM D5590: The ASTM D5590 standard determines the effectiveness of coating formulations in inhibiting the growth of fungi.
- ASTM C1338: The ASTM C1338 test is used for determining the resistance of insulating materials to fungal growth.
- AOAC 955.17: AOAC 955.17 method evaluates the fungicidal efficacy of disinfectants against T. mentagrophytes.
- EN 1650: The EN 1650 test (phase 2 step 2 suspension) evaluates the fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in medical areas.
- EN 13624: The EN 13624 standard (phase 2 step 1 suspension) is used for evaluating the yeasticidal activity of disinfectants.
- EN 1657: The EN 1657 test method (phase 2 step 1 suspension) determines the fungicidal activity of disinfectants used in the veterinary area.
MIS’s antifungal testing services are complemented by their expertise in antibacterial, antiviral, and other microbiological testing areas. With cutting-edge technology and a team of expert microbiologists, we aim to provide rapid and reliable results, adhering to international standards to help clients assess the antimicrobial efficacy of their products.
For detailed information on the services we provide, including test procedures, applicable materials, and turnaround times, contact MIS experts today.
