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Luliconazole, an alternative antifungal agent against Aspergillus terreus
M Zargaran1, S Taghipour2, N Kiasat2
1Infectious and tropical diseases research center, health research institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur university of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of medical mycology, school of medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur university of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract:
Aspergillus terreus is the fourth leading cause of invasive and non-invasive aspergillosis and one of the causative agents of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised and high-risk patients. A. terreus appears to have increased as a cause of opportunistic fungal infections from superficial to serious invasive infections. Although, invasive aspergillosis is often treated empirically with amphotericin B, most A. terreus isolates are resistant both in vivo and in vitro to some antifungal drugs. In this study, we aimed to evaluate antifungals susceptibility profiles of the different strains of A. terreus against amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and luliconazole. Forty A. terreus strains originating from environmental sources (air and soil) were identified using by macroscopic and microscopic features. Six antifungals including, amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and luliconazole were applied for susceptibility tests. Our results show that tested isolates had different susceptibility to antifungals. The lowest MICGM related to luliconazole (0.00236μg/ml), followed by posaconazole (0.18621μg/ml), voriconazole (0.22925μg/ml), caspofungin (0.86μg/ml), fluconazole (8μg/ml) and amphotericin B (11.12μg/ml). This study demonstrated that luliconazole had an excellent in vitro activity against all tested isolates of A. terreus, with MICGM 0.00236μg/mL than other tested antifungals. As a result, luliconazole could be a possible alternative antifungal for the treatment of aspergillosis due to A. terreus.
Insights
Aspergillus terreus causes serious infections, and many strains resist common antifungals. Luliconazole showed excellent in vitro activity against all tested Aspergillus terreus strains, suggesting it as a potential treatment alternative.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Aspergillus terreus is a significant cause of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients.
- Increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs necessitates exploring alternative treatments.
- This fungus poses a considerable threat, contributing to patient morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles of Aspergillus terreus strains.
- To compare the efficacy of six different antifungal agents against Aspergillus terreus.
- To identify potential alternative antifungal agents for treating Aspergillus terreus infections.
Main Methods:
- Identification of forty Aspergillus terreus strains from environmental sources (air and soil).
- Macroscopic and microscopic characterization of the identified fungal strains.
- Antifungal susceptibility testing using six agents: amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and luliconazole.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in antifungal susceptibility were observed among the tested Aspergillus terreus isolates.
- Luliconazole exhibited the lowest geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MICGM) at 0.00236 μg/mL.
- Posaconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, fluconazole, and amphotericin B showed progressively higher MICGM values.
Conclusions:
- Luliconazole demonstrated potent in vitro activity against all tested Aspergillus terreus isolates.
- Luliconazole represents a promising alternative antifungal agent for treating Aspergillus terreus-associated aspergillosis.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic potential of luliconazole.
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