Controlled inactivation of Trichophyton rubrum using shaped electrical pulse bursts: Parametric analysis

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Medical Mycology
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Dermatophytes, such as Trichophyton rubrum, infect skin by adhering to, growing within, and penetrating epidermal cells.
• Current antifungal treatments can face challenges with efficacy and resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electric fields (PEF) for the controlled inactivation of Trichophyton rubrum (ATCC 28188) in vitro.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of PEF combined with common antifungal agents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized square wave PEF pulses (10-30 kV/cm) with pulse durations of 50 µs and 100 µs.
• Applied PEF in bursts of 5, 10, or 20 pulses at a 1 Hz repetition frequency.
• Studied inactivation dynamics and defined an inactivation map for T. rubrum; tested combined PEF with itraconazole, terbinafine, and naftifine HCl.

Main Results:

• PEF treatment demonstrated dose-dependent inactivation of T. rubrum.
• An inactivation map was defined, outlining effective PEF parameters.
• The combination of PEF with itraconazole, terbinafine, or naftifine HCl resulted in complete inactivation of T. rubrum colonies.

Conclusions:

• PEF is a viable method for the in vitro inactivation of Trichophyton rubrum.
• Combining PEF with existing antifungal agents significantly enhances inactivation efficacy.
• This approach presents a promising strategy for managing dermatophyte infections.