Dermatophytes Isolation from Patients and In-vitro Application of Selected Natural Extracts and Oils for Anti-Dermatophytic Activity

Dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, is caused by a group of fungi termed dermatophytes. It can invade the keratinized tissue of the skin, nails, and hair. Dermatophytosis is classified based on the site of infection, such as tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and tinea unguium. This study was performed at Bolan Medical College Hospital, Quetta, to isolate and identify the infectious agents of dermatophytes related infections in patients following all the codal formalities and ethical procedures. A total of 19 patients' samples were analyzed in the study, where ten samples were positive for infectious agents. The organisms were grown on specified media, such as dermatophytes test medium agar and potato dextrose agar, supplemented with antibiotics. The isolates were preliminary identified with the help of their growth on specific media and finally confirmed with the help of compound microscopic examination. Some common natural compounds, such as apple peel extract (APE), grapes peduncle extract (GPE), propolis oil (PO), and bitter apricot kernel oil (BAKO), were used against the dermatophytes isolates and were found positive for activity against a few isolates. The  APE showed inhibitory activity of 31% against Trichophyton tonsurans and 80% against Epidermophyton flocosum, while the GPE showed 27% and 74%, PO showed 42% and 69%, and BAKO showed 78% and 70% activity against Trichophyton tonsurans and Epidermophyton flocosum, respectively. The bioactive compounds in these extracts were analyzed through Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy.