Abstract
Arthroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes demonstrated an exogenous type of dormancy under environmental conditions unsuitable for germination, provided that these conditions were not lethal. Germination did not occur at 4°C unless arthroconidia were shifted up to 37°C. At 45°C germination was inhibited even when arthroconidia were shifted down to 37°C. Germination was dependent on humidified incubation conditions. The presence of human corneocytes enhanced the germination of arthroconidia in the presence of moisture.