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In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Octenidine Against Emerging Dermatophyte Species

Kathrin Spettel1,2, Richard Kriz1,2, Sarah Fellhuber1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Mycopathologia
|June 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Octenidine (OCT) and its formulations show potent in vitro antifungal activity against drug-resistant dermatophytes. This antiseptic offers a promising alternative for managing superficial fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Superficial fungal infections (dermatophytosis) are globally prevalent, posing significant public health challenges.
  • Limited antifungal drug classes and increasing resistance, especially to terbinafine, necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Topical antiseptics like octenidine (OCT) are being explored for their potential in managing dermatophytosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antifungal efficacy of octenidine (OCT) and OCT-based products against clinically relevant, drug-resistant dermatophytes.
  • To assess the activity of OCT under varying organic load conditions and contact times.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative suspension assays (EN 13624:2013) were performed using pure OCT (0.1%, 0.05%) and commercial products (octeniderm®, octenisept®).
  • Assays included clinical isolates of Trichophyton and Microsporum species under low and high organic load conditions.
  • Contact times ranged from 1 to 15 minutes.

Main Results:

  • Octenidine (OCT), octeniderm®, and octenisept® demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent antifungal activity against tested dermatophytes.
  • Octeniderm® exhibited rapid inhibition of fungal growth within 1 minute, even under high organic load.
  • All tested OCT formulations proved effective against emerging drug-resistant dermatophyte strains.

Conclusions:

  • Octenidine (OCT) and its associated antiseptic products show significant in vitro efficacy against drug-resistant dermatophytes.
  • These findings suggest OCT is a potential therapeutic option for preventing transmission and treating superficial fungal infections.
  • OCT's established clinical use and good tolerability further support its potential role in dermatophytosis management.
Keywords:
AntisepticsDermatophytesOctenidineResistanceTerbinafine

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