In vitro activity of aminosterols against dermatophytes

Med Mycol. 2013 Apr;51(3):309-12. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2012.724773. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

We recently reported that aminosterols are fungicidal due to their disrupting the outer membranes of yeasts and that they have a significant in vitro activity against various mould species. Yet, their activity against dermatophytes had never been tested. This study's objective was to evaluate the in vitro activity of squalamine and a synthetic aminosterol derivative (ASD) against various dermatophytes. Susceptibility testing of squalamine, ASD, terbinafine, and griseofulvin was performed, in triplicate, in accord with the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute's M38-A2 procedure, using an 80% growth inhibition endpoint. The studies included the following dermatophytes: Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. soudanense, Microsporum canis, M. audouinii, M. persicolor; M. cookie and M. gypseum. Squalamine and ASD showed significant in vitro activity against these dermatophytes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 4-16 mg/l and from 2-8 mg/l for squalamine and ASD, respectively. These findings support further clinical studies of aminosterols activity against superficial dermatophyte infections.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Arthrodermataceae / drug effects*
  • Arthrodermataceae / isolation & purification
  • Child
  • Cholestanols / pharmacology*
  • Griseofulvin / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Terbinafine
  • Tinea Capitis / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Cholestanols
  • Naphthalenes
  • Griseofulvin
  • Terbinafine