title: Investigating Effects of Nano- to Micro-Ampere Alternating Current Stimulation onTrichophyton rubrumGrowth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms including yeast and molds. Many studies have focused on modifying bacterial growth, but few on fungal growth. Microcurrent electricity may stimulate fungal growth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate effects of microcurrent electric stimulation onTrichophyton rubrumgrowth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard-sized inoculums ofT. rubrumderived from a spore suspension were applied to potato dextrose cornmeal agar (PDACC) plates, gently withdrawn with a sterile pipette, and were applied to twelve PDACC plates with a sterile spreader. Twelve Petri dishes were divided into four groups. The given amperage of electric current was 500 nA, 2 µA, and 4 µA in groups A, B, and C, respectively. No electric current was given in group D.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first 48 hours, colonies only appeared in groups A and B (500 nA and 2 µA exposure). Colonies in group A (500 nA) were denser. Group C (4 µA) plates showed a barely visible film of fungus after 96 hours of incubation. Fungal growth became visible after 144 hours in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower intensities of electric current caused faster fungal growth within the amperage range used in this study. Based on these results, further studies with a larger sample size, various fungal species, and various intensities of electric stimulation should be conducted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Rak
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunjung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo Ram
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Joonsoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Alternating current; Electric stimulation; Trichophyton