What type of media is typically used to culture dermatophytes?

Sabouraud dextrose agar is specifically designed to culture fungi, including dermatophytes, which are a group of fungi that infect the skin, hair, and nails. This agar contains a high concentration of dextrose, which supports the growth of fungi while inhibiting the growth of many bacteria. The slightly acidic pH of Sabouraud dextrose agar also favors the growth of fungi over bacteria, making it an ideal medium for isolating dermatophytes from clinical specimens.

Using blood agar, nutrient agar, or XLD agar would not be as effective for this purpose. Blood agar is primarily used for cultivating bacteria and determining hemolytic activity. Nutrient agar provides a general-purpose medium for various microorganisms, but it is not specifically tailored to promote fungal growth. XLD agar is specifically formulated for the isolation and differentiation of Gram-negative enteric bacteria, particularly those associated with gastrointestinal infections. Therefore, Sabouraud dextrose agar stands out as the optimal choice for culturing dermatophytes.