[Biochemical properties of Polish and standard strains of Trichophyton equinum].

It was found that strains of T. equinum which were tested, produced in vitro urease, gelatinase, protease for bovine serum, hemolysins for horse and sheep red blood cells, and keratinase for horse, bovine and canine hair. The ability to produce elastase and caseinase was not recorded. In urease test, it was noticed that after three passages on media with urea the time of appearance of positive reactions was shortened and all strains of T. equinum reacted positively during three days. In these studies some differences in enzyme production between T. equinum and T. mentagrophytes were recorded. Generally, T. mentagrophytes revealed stronger enzymatic properties because it produced the enzymes in two ranges of temperature, i.e. 26-28 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and in addition it dissolved horse sera. The lipase production by T. equinum in optimal temperature of growth 26-28 degrees C only, may be used as an additional test for differentiation between T. equinum and T. mentagrophytes. In penetration test, it was found that strains of T. equinum which were tested perforate in vitro horse, bovine and canine hairs but they do not attack human hair. Some differences were seen concerning the way of penetration of horse hair by the fungi. T. equinum produces rectangular and coaxial perforation organs but T. mentagrophytes produces coaxial ones only.