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[The susceptibility of Aspergillus and Penicillium to recent antimycotics]
A B Macura1, B Pawlik, I Szczepko
1Zakład Mykologii Instytutu Mikrobiologii Collegium Medicum U J w Krakowie.
Abstract:
Fifty four mould strains (32 Aspergillus and 22 Penicillium) isolated from clinical materials were tested using dilution method. Two test media were used: Yeast Nitrogen Base (YNB) and Czapek Dox (CD). The following drugs were tested: amorolfine, cyclopirox, itraconazole, and terbinafine. In the dilution method, the drugs were tested at four contrentrations: 0.1 mg/l, 1 mg/l, 10 mg/l, and 100 mg/l. No matter which medium and/or drug was used, terbinafine turned out to be most effective. The drug at a conceatration of 1 mg/l inhibited 88.9% of the strains in the CD medium. The MIC values in the YNB medium varied from 0.1 mg/l through 100 mg/l, however, 50% of the strains were inhibited at 1 mg/l or less. Itraconazole revealed a fairly good in vitro antifungal action, particularly in the CD medium: 77.8% of the strains were inhibited at 10 mg/l or less. Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were most susceptible to itraconazole. The MIC values of cyclopirox amounted to 100 mg/l for all of the strains in the CD medium but not in the YNB where they varied from 1 mg/l to 100 mg/l. Amorolfine was the least effective drug. Most of the strains were inhibited at a concentration of at least 100 mg/l. The findings give evidence that the susceptibility of Aspergillus and Penicillium to the particular drugs is different, and that the results are influenced by the test medium.
Insights
Terbinafine demonstrated the highest effectiveness against Aspergillus and Penicillium clinical isolates, inhibiting 88.9% at 1 mg/l in Czapek Dox medium. Antifungal drug efficacy varied significantly based on the specific mold and testing medium used.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Background:
- Clinical isolates of Aspergillus and Penicillium species are significant causes of fungal infections.
- Evaluating the in vitro antifungal activity of various drugs is crucial for guiding treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the in vitro antifungal activity of four drugs (amorolfine, cyclopirox, itraconazole, terbinafine) against clinical isolates of Aspergillus and Penicillium.
- To compare the efficacy of these drugs using two different culture media: Yeast Nitrogen Base (YNB) and Czapek Dox (CD).
Main Methods:
- A total of 54 mold strains (32 Aspergillus, 22 Penicillium) from clinical samples were tested.
- The broth dilution method was employed to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) at drug concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/l.
- Two distinct media, Yeast Nitrogen Base (YNB) and Czapek Dox (CD), were utilized for susceptibility testing.
Main Results:
- Terbinafine was the most effective drug, inhibiting 88.9% of strains at 1 mg/l in CD medium. In YNB, 50% of strains were inhibited at 1 mg/l or less.
- Itraconazole showed good in vitro activity, inhibiting 77.8% of strains at 10 mg/l or less in CD medium, with Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus being most susceptible.
- Cyclopirox and amorolfine exhibited lower efficacy, with most strains requiring concentrations of 100 mg/l or higher for inhibition, and results varied between YNB and CD media.
Conclusions:
- Terbinafine is a highly effective antifungal agent against clinical isolates of Aspergillus and Penicillium in vitro.
- The choice of testing medium significantly influences the observed antifungal susceptibility results.
- Antifungal drug efficacy varies among different mold species, necessitating species-specific susceptibility testing.
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