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Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
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New mechanisms of action with fungicidal antifungals

A Rashid1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan.

The British Journal of Dermatology
|June 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Terbinafine damages dermatophyte fungi by altering arthroconidia and germ tubes. This antifungal drug disrupts cell walls and membranes, inhibiting fungal growth.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Dermatophyte fungi cause superficial skin infections.
  • Terbinafine is a widely used antifungal medication.
  • Understanding terbinafine's mechanism of action is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the morphological effects of terbinafine on dermatophyte growth forms.
  • To identify the cellular targets of terbinafine in arthroconidia and germ tubes.

Main Methods:

  • Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used.
  • Dermatophyte fungi were exposed to terbinafine incorporated in the stratum corneum.

Main Results:

  • Terbinafine caused pores and erosion in arthroconidial cell walls, with peeling layers.
  • The cell membrane was destroyed, and cytosol showed vacuoles and electron-dense areas.
  • Germination was partially arrested, and hyphal extension was inhibited; germ tubes developed pores and collapsed.

Conclusions:

  • The outer and inner layers of the arthroconidial cell wall are initial terbinafine targets.
  • Subsequent alterations affect the cytosol and intracellular organelles.
  • Terbinafine effectively inhibits dermatophyte growth by disrupting key cellular structures.

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