The effects of amorolfine and oxiconazole on the ultrastructure of Trichophyton mentagrophytes. A comparison.

Amorolfin applied in concentrations of 0.1-100 micrograms ml-1 caused considerable damages to the ultrastructure of Trichophyton mentagrophytes: Electron-transparent areas appear in the cytoplasma. The cell wall increases in thickness. Extracytoplasmic membrane vesicles are formed and deposited in the cell wall. Starved fungal cells, with normal ultrastructure, can be found. Lysed, dead cells demonstrate the process of final, vigorous ultrastructural damage. The feature of the damage caused by amorolfin is comparable to that effected by azole antifungals. The characteristics of the ultrastructural changes are similar to those due to amorolfin in the yeast species Candida albicans.