Dermatophyte Test Medium

Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM) is a specialized agar used in medical mycology. It is based on Sabouraud's dextrose agar] with added cyclohexamide to inhibit saprophyte growth, antibiotic to inhibit bacterial growth and phenol red a pH indicator. The pH indicator is useful in distinguishing a dermatophyte fungus, which utilizes nitrogenous material for preferred metabolism, producing alkaline by-products, imparting a red color change to the medium. Typical saprophytic fungi utilized carbohydrates in the medium producing acidic by-products and no red color change.