Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2025

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
Published on: February 14, 2018
Antifungal Associations with a Polyelectrolyte Promote Significant Reduction of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations
Lavínia da V Pereira1,2, Tiago Rizzi1,2, Micaela Federizzi1,2
1Laboratório de Pesquisa Em Micologia Aplicada (LPMA), Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Rua São Luís 152, Porto Alegre, 90470-440, Brazil.
This study explored Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) combined with antifungal drugs to combat rising fungal infections. PDDA significantly boosted drug effectiveness, showing promise for new antifungal treatments.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rising global incidence of fungal infections, termed a "silent epidemic."
- Limited antifungal drug options and increasing drug resistance.
- Drug repositioning and combination therapies offer promising solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifungal activity of Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) in combination with existing antifungal drugs.
- To evaluate the efficacy of different drug:PDDA ratios against clinical Candida species.
- To assess PDDA's potential as an adjuvant in novel antifungal formulations.
Main Methods:
- Broth microdilution technique to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).
- Testing combinations of PDDA with amphotericin B (AMB), clioquinol (CLIO), and nitroxoline (NTX).
- Evaluation against clinically significant Candida species, including resistant strains.
Main Results:
- PDDA combinations significantly enhanced the activity of tested antifungal drugs against most Candida strains.
- MIC reductions up to 512-fold were observed, particularly for fluconazole-resistant Candida krusei.
- The amphotericin B-PDDA combination (1:99 ratio) showed high efficacy against amphotericin B-resistant strains.
Conclusions:
- Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) demonstrates significant potential as an adjuvant to potentiate existing antifungal drugs.
- PDDA-antifungal combinations offer a viable strategy to overcome drug resistance and enhance treatment efficacy.
- This approach could lead to the development of novel, effective antifungal formulations using established drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Antimicrobial Effectiveness
Fungal Group Zygomycota
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...

