A modified AATCC 30–1993 method to test fungicide treated fabrics against dermatophytes

An agar plate test is described to determine the growth inhibition of dermatophytes by fungicides applied to fabrics. <e1>Trichophyton rubrum</e1> and <e1>Epidermophyton floccosum</e1>, two major causative agents of tinea pedis (athlete's foot), were used as test organisms. The assay was capable of distinguishing between direct contact effects and diffusion of fungicide into the agar medium, and could be used semi-quantitatively. The method included an essential sterilization stage to prevent interference by micro-organisms contaminating the test materials. Loss of fungicide efficacy due to the sterilization procedure required careful control.