Objective: To determine the effect of hydroxide compounds on the viability of dermatophytic cells. Methods: Two strains (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum) of dermatophytes were clinical isolated from an old male patient with tinea corporis at AL-Hussein General Hospital of Karbala Province. Skin scales of fungal lesion were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar containing 0.05 g chloramphenicol. The hydroxide compounds were dissolved in melted fungal media to obtain

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... nt percentages (0.625%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%). Then the fungal growth on solid media containing tested compounds was determined by using colony diameter method and different concentrations of KOH, NaOH, Mg(OH) 2 and Ca(OH) 2 were tested against two species of dermatophytes. Experiments were repeated triplicate for statistical analysis and the data were analyzed for SE of each experiment. Results: KOH and NaOH (down to 1.25%) showed the ability to completely inhibit the growth of both strains of dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum). Other two hydroxide compounds revealed variable effects on dermatophytes cells. Conclusions: The strong hydroxide compounds showed a harmful effect on fungal structures and functions. In addition to diagnosis, pathogenic fungi like dermatophytes were killed after treating with these hydroxide agents.