Dermatophytes are keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungi. They are responsible for dermatophytosis which are superficial mycosis. Any clinical diagnosis needs to be supported by laboratory diagnosis. Culture is a necessary adjunct to direct microscopic examination for definitive identification of etiological agent and in many instances the choice of therapy depends upon the specific identification of the invasive mould. Standardization of in vitro susceptibility testing provides consistent and reproducible data that may predict clinical response when used in conjunction with individual patient risk factors. An ideal antifungal drug should have broad spectrum activity, should be effective in vivo, minimum side effects and there should be no drug resistance and minimum side effects. All clinically diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis in all age groups and of both sexes, attending the Outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology were taken for the study. After isolation of the fungi from clinical samples, isolates were inoculated in fungal media and antifungal susceptibility testing was done. Antifungals tested were Ketaconazole, Terbinafine, Clotrimazole and Sertaconazole. Range of MIC values of ketoconazole for T. rubrum (33), T.mentagrophytes (14), T. tonsurans (7) and M.gypseum were 0.03-4µg/ml, 0.03-1µg/ml, 0.125-1µg/ml and 0.12-0.5µg/ml respectively. In remaining 6 isolates of T.mentagrophytes 3 had MIC of 2µg/ml and other 3 isolates had MIC of 3µg/ml for ketoconazole, which is above the normal range (0.03-1µg/ml) and 1 isolate of T.tonsurans had MIC of 2µg/ml. Range of MIC values of Terbinafine for T. rubrum, T.mentagrophytes, T. tonsuranse and M. gypseum were 0.03-0.5µg/ml, 0.03-1µg/ml, 0.03-0.06µg/ml and 0.15µg/ml respectively. Range of MIC value of Clotrimazole for T. rubrum, T.mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans and M. gypseumwas 0.031-0.5µg/ml. Range of MIC value of sertaconazole for T.rubrumwas 0.03-0.62µg/ml and for T.mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans and M. gypseum was 0.03-0.125µg/ml. Majority of the dermatophyte isolate had MIC within normal range. Few of the isolates of T.mentagrophytes and T.tonsurans showed higher MIC. Periodic evaluation of Antifungal Susceptibility Testing is necessary especially in immune suppressive illness and in chronic dermatophytosis to find out antifungal resistance which would help the clinicians to select appropriate antifungal agents.

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