dermatophyte test medium

Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM) is a specialized culture used to identify fungi that cause skin infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm. It contains nutrients to promote fungal growth and a pH indicator that changes color when dermatophytes grow, signaling a positive result. The test involves placing a small sample from a skin lesion onto the medium and observing any color change over time. This helps healthcare providers confirm the presence of dermatophyte fungi and choose appropriate treatment. DTM is a useful, diagnostic tool that simplifies detecting these specific fungal infections in a laboratory setting.