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Inhibitory effects of antimicrobial agents against Fusarium species

Hideaki Kawakami1, Hiroko Inuzuka1, Nobuhide Hori2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, 7-1 Kashima-cho, Gifu-shi, Gifu-ken, 500-8513, Japan.

Medical Mycology
|April 5, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) and certain antibiotics showed inhibitory effects against Fusarium species causing fungal keratitis. However, amphotericin B demonstrated the strongest, though variable, antifungal activity, highlighting the need for combination therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fusarium species are significant pathogens causing fungal keratitis, a serious eye infection.
  • Limited effective treatment options exist for severe Fusarium keratitis, necessitating investigation into alternative agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro inhibitory effects of various antibacterial, biocidal, and antifungal agents against clinical isolates of Fusarium species.
  • To compare the efficacy of individual agents and identify potential candidates for combination therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Seven Fusarium species isolates from fungal keratitis cases were tested.
  • Broth microdilution assays were employed to determine half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), 100% inhibitory concentration (IC100), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
  • Susceptibility testing included fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), and a range of antifungal agents.

Main Results:

  • Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) exhibited notable activity against Fusarium isolates, except for the antifungal agents.
  • Fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides showed inhibitory effects at higher concentrations.
  • Tobracin® demonstrated superior efficacy compared to tobramycin alone.
  • Amphotericin B displayed the most potent inhibitory effect, although its activity varied among the different Fusarium isolates.

Conclusions:

  • While fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and BAK possess some inhibitory activity against Fusarium keratitis pathogens, they are less effective than amphotericin B.
  • The variable efficacy of amphotericin B underscores the need for further research into combination therapies involving antibacterial, biocidal, and antifungal agents for improved Fusarium keratitis treatment.
Keywords:
Fusariumantibacterial agentantifungal agentbiocidal agentinhibitory effect

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