Clioquinol, an alternative antimicrobial agent against common pathogenic microbe.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Antimicrobial research
• Mycology

Background:

• Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are prevalent, necessitating effective antimicrobial treatments.
• Increasing drug resistance in pathogens drives the need for novel or repurposed antimicrobial agents.
• Clioquinol, an antiseptic, has limited data regarding its antimicrobial spectrum and efficacy in infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antimicrobial spectrum and activity of topical 3% clioquinol cream.
• To compare its efficacy against common pathogenic microorganisms with other topical pharmaceuticals.
• To investigate clioquinol's potential in combating drug-resistant strains.

Main Methods:

• Modified agar diffusion assay was employed to assess drug susceptibility.
• Broth microdilution assay was used for comparative analysis.
• Thirty fungal strains (14 species) and 5 bacterial strains (4 species) were tested.

Main Results:

• 3% clioquinol cream demonstrated significant inhibition against most tested fungal species.
• Strongest antifungal activity was observed against Candida tropicalis, Candida guilliermondii, Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium solani, and Trichoderma harzianum.
• Moderate antifungal activity was noted for Dermatophytes and Candida albicans, while antibacterial activity was weak.
• Both assay methods showed consistent results.

Conclusions:

• Topical 3% clioquinol cream possesses a broad antifungal spectrum.
• Its efficacy varies by species, but it is effective against a wide range of fungi.
• Clioquinol cream shows promise as a topical antifungal agent, particularly for resistant fungal infections.