Ketoconazole -- a new broad spectrum orally active antimycotic

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Candidosis and dermatophytoses are significant fungal infections affecting various animal species.
• Antifungal treatments are crucial for managing these conditions in veterinary practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of oral ketoconazole in treating experimental fungal infections in animals.
• To assess ketoconazole's effectiveness against candidosis and dermatophytoses in diverse animal models.

Main Methods:

• Oral administration of ketoconazole was used to treat induced fungal infections.
• Animal models included turkeys, rats, guinea pigs, and chickens with artificial crop candidosis, vaginal candidosis, skin candidosis, systemic candidosis, and dermatophytoses.

Main Results:

• Ketoconazole successfully prevented and cured artificial crop candidosis in turkeys.
• The drug was effective in treating vaginal candidosis in rats and skin candidosis in guinea pigs.
• Highly effective against systemic candidosis in guinea pigs and chickens, and dermatophytoses in guinea pigs.

Conclusions:

• Oral ketoconazole demonstrates broad-spectrum efficacy against various experimental fungal infections in multiple animal species.
• Ketoconazole is a promising therapeutic agent for treating candidosis and dermatophytoses in veterinary medicine.