Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil from Eucalyptus smithii against dermatophytes

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: In this study, we evaluated the chemical composition of a commercial sample of essential oil from Eucalyptus smithii R.T. Baker and its antifungal activity against Microsporum canis ATCC 32903, Microsporum gypseum ATCC 14683, Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 9533, T. mentagrophytes ATCC 11480, T. mentagrophytes ATCC 11481, and Trichophyton rubrum CCT 5507. METHODS: Morphological changes in these fungi after treatment with the oil were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antifungal activity of the oil was determined on the basis of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values. RESULTS: The compound 1,8-cineole was found to be the predominant component (72.2%) of the essential oil. The MIC values of the oil ranged from 62.5μg·mL−1 to >1,000μg·mL−1, and the MFC values of the oil ranged from 125μg·mL−1 to >1,000μg·mL−1. SEM analysis showed physical damage and morphological alterations in the fungi exposed to this oil. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the potential of Eucalyptus smithii essential oil as a natural therapeutic agent for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Comparison of the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration of Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole and Terbinafine Against Clinical Isolates of Dermatophytes.

Superficial fungal infections affect millions of people worldwide. Earlier most dermatophyte strains had relatively restricted geographical distribution. But currently, dermatophytosis has become one of the most common human infectious diseases worldwide. Fungal infections are common in hot and humid climate of tropical countries like India. Topical and systemic therapies are commonly used to treat dermatophyte infections.Clotrimazole is one of the most commonly used topical antifungal drugs. This study compared the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of Clotrimazole with Miconazole, Ketoconazole and Terbinafine in skin dermatophytes. The study demonstrated that Clotrimazole had lower MFCs as compared to Ketoconazole and Miconazole against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. Clotrimazole had comparable MFCs versus Terbinafine against Trichophyton rubrum but it had lower MFCs against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. Thus, Clotrimazole is an effective antifungal agent for dermatophytosis even today.The efficacy of Clotrimazole even against strains with intermediate resistance or resistance to the older azole anti fungal drugs reiterate the current decisions of empirical treatment with topical Clotrimazole for the management of superficial dermatophyte infections.

Perfil de suscetibilidade a antifúngicos de dermatófitos isolados de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica / Antifungal susceptibility of dermatophytes isolated from patients with chronic renal failure

FUNDAMENTOS: As dermatofitoses apresentam alta prevalência na população em geral e, principalmente, em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica, necessitando tratamento com antifúngicos tópicos e/ou sistêmicos, cuja eficácia precisa ser avaliada. Estudos in vitro para avaliar a ação de antifúngicos são raros, especialmente, em fungos filamentosos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil de suscetibilidade de diferentes espécies de dermatófitos, isolados de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica, em relação a nove antifúngicos disponíveis comercialmente para o tratamento de dermatofitoses. MÉTODO: Analisaram-se 26 isolados de dermatófitos de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em relação a nove antifúngicos (cetoconazol, ciclopirox olamina, fluconazol, griseofulvina, itraconazol, miconazol, piroctona olamina, terbinafina e tioconazol) pelo método de microdiluição em caldo proposto pelo Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), com modificações para dermatófitos. RESULTADOS: Entre os antifúngicos testados, a terbinafina e o tioconazol obtiveram os melhores resultados de sensibilidade e o fluconazol apresentou baixa atividade, especialmente para as amostras da espécie M. gypseum. O ciclopirox olamina, apesar de menos eficaz que a terbinafina, também mostrou resultados satisfatórios. CONCLUSÕES: De modo geral, o perfil de sensibilidade dos antimicóticos testados seguiu o padrão de resultados mostrados por estudos anteriores, ratificando a necessidade de conhecimento da espécie causadora de dermatofitose, devido à variação do perfil de suscetibilidade entre as espécies. Além disso, nossos resultados demonstram a importância da realização de ensaios de sensibilidade in vitro, pois alguns isolados da mesma espécie apresentaram diferente perfil de sensibilidade.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of dermatophytosis in the general population is high, particularly in patients with chronic renal failure. Treatment requires the use of topical and/or systemic antifungal drugs. The efficacy of antifungal agents for the treatment of dermatophytosis has yet to be evaluated. Studies evaluating the in vitro activity of antifungal agents are rare, particularly in filamentous fungi. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the susceptibility profile of different species of dermatophytes isolated from patients with chronic renal failure to nine antifungal drugs available on the market for the treatment of dermatophytosis. METHODS: Twenty-six isolates of dermatophytes obtained from patients with chronic renal failure were analyzed with respect to their susceptibility to nine antifungal agents (ketoconazole, ciclopirox olamine, fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, miconazole, piroctone olamine, terbinafine and tioconazole), using the broth microdilution method proposed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and adapted for dermatophytes. RESULTS: Of the antifungal agents tested, the best results in terms of sensitivity were found with terbinafine and tioconazole, while the antifungal activity of fluconazole was found to be weak, particularly against strains of M. gypseum. Ciclopirox olamine, although less effective than terbinafine, also yielded satisfactory results. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the sensitivity profile of the antifungal agents tested in this study was similar to results obtained in previous studies, confirming the need to determine which species is causing the dermatophytosis given that antifungal susceptibility varies from one species to another. Furthermore, the present findings show the importance of conducting in vitro sensitivity tests, since the sensitivity profile may differ among isolates of the same species.

In vitro susceptibility testing of dermatophytes isolated in Goiania, Brazil, against five antifungal agents by broth microdilution method / Teste de suscetibilidade in vitro de dermatófitos isolados em Goiânia, Brasil, contra cinco agentes antifúngicos pelo método de microdiluição em caldo

The antifungal activities of fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine and griseofulvin were tested by broth microdilution technique, against 60 dermatophytes isolated from nail or skin specimens from Goiania city patients, Brazil. In this study, the microtiter plates were incubated at 28 ºC allowing a reading of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) after four days of incubation for Trichophyton mentagrophytes and five days for T. rubrum and Microsporum canis. Most of the dermatophytes had uniform patterns of susceptibility to the antifungal agents tested. Low MIC values as 0.03 µg/mL were found for 33.3 percent, 31.6 percent and 15 percent of isolates for itraconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine, respectively.

Atividades antifúngicas de fluconazol, itraconazol, cetoconazol, terbinafina e griseofulvina foram testadas pelo método de microdiluição em caldo contra 60 isolados de dermatófitos. Os resultados mostraram que todos os isolados produziram crescimento claramente detectável a 28 ºC e a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) foi determinada após quatro dias de incubação para Trichophyton mentagrophytes e cinco dias para T. rubrum e Microsporum canis. A maioria dos isolados teve um padrão uniforme de suscetibilidade para os agentes antifúngicos testados. Baixos valores de CIM como 0,03 µg/mL foram encontrados para 33,3 por cento, 31,6 por cento e 15 por cento dos isolados para itraconazol, cetoconazol e terbinafina, respectivamente.

Production of peptide antifungal antibiotic and biocontrol activity of Bacillus subtilis.

Among different bacterial cultures, a potent Bacillus subtilis MTCC-8114 was isolated from garden soil samples which showed 16 and 14 mm inhibition zones by spot inoculation method and 24 and 22 mm inhibition zones by well agar diffusion method against test fungi i.e. Microsporum fulvum and Trichophyton species. Among four media tested, the maximum growth and antibiotic production was found in trypticase soya broth (TSB) medium at 37 degrees C, pH-7 and 48 h of incubation. The Rf value (0.64) by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) technique and UV and FTIR spectral data of the active antifungal compound, indicated that the isolated compound belongs to peptide antifungal antibiotic group. MIC value of antifungal antibiotic was 135 and 145 microg/ml.

[Safety and efficacy of terbinafine in a pediatric Iranian cohort of patients with Tinea capitis]

Tinea capitis is a common infection of the scalp and hair shaft caused by dermatophyte fungi that mainly affects prepubescent children. Systemic therapy is required for treatment and to prevent spread. The aim of present study was to assess the effect of terbinafme for tinea capitis treatment in children. 30 Iranian pediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of tinea capitis, were enrolled in the study. The Study was conducted in a general and referral teaching hospital [Imam Medical Centre - Tehran, Iran] from 2006 to 2007. Eligible patients with less than 20 kg of body weight were given 62.5 mg terbinafme and for patients between 20 to 40 kg, the dose was 125 mg, on the first visit. After two weeks, all patients had a second visit that second sample for microscopic study was taken. For each patient, direct mycology test [KOH test] and mycological culture were carried out before the study is being started and after 2[nd], 4[th], 5[th], 6[th] and 8[th] weeks. Drug's probable adverse effects were also recorded. Based on the results of mycological culture of patients' lesions, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton sheonlini were considered as major causes of Tinea capitis in these children. Out of 30 stydy patients, KOH test of 93% in the fifth and 100% in the sixth week, was negative. All patients healed completely from signs of infection, after six weeks. Also, no severe side effects were seen in any patients. According to the results of this study, Terbinafme is an effective therapy in Iranian cases of Tinea capitis in children without having severe side effects

Comparative efficacy of griseofulvin and fluconazole in the treatment of tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is caused by different species of dermatophytes particularly Microsporum and Trichophyton .Children are affected predominantly. Many systemic drugs e.g.griseofulvin, fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazoe etc are available for the treatment of tinea capitis. To compare the efficacy of griseofulvin and fluconazole in the treatment of tinea capitis. A total of 50 patients of age group 2-15 years were selected for the study.The cases were diagnosed clinically and confirmed by Wood 's lamp examination, KOH microscopy and culture.The patients were divided into two equal groups. Group A was given griseofulvin and group B was given fluconazole for a period of two months. Topical adjuvant therapy econazole nitrate was given in both groups. The patients were followed up at 2 weekly interval for clinical response and Wood 's lamp examination and finally KOH microscopy and culture. In group A clinical response was 84%and mycological response was 68%whereas in group B clinical response was 68%and mycological response was 56%. The present study showed that griseofulvin is more effective in the treatment of noninflammatory type of tinea capitis than fluconazole

In vitro sensitivity of dermatophytes to urea

OBJETIVO: A uréia é comumente usada como substância queratolítica no tratamento das onicomicoses no intuito de melhorar a penetração das drogas antifúngicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a ação inibitória in vitro da uréia em amostras de dermatófitos. MÉTODOS: A concentração inibitória mínima da uréia foi determinada para trinta e uma amostras de dermatófitos semeadas em meio de cultura Sabouraud-dextrose contendo diferentes concentrações (7,5% até 40%) de uréia. usência de crescimento foi o critério adotado para a determinação da concentração inibitória mínima. RESULTADOS: A maioria das amostras (87%) foi sensível à uréia em concentrações de 12,5% ou menos. Apenas dois isolados de Trichophyton tonsurans e dois de Trichophyton rubrum foram inibidos completamente na presença de 30% e 40% de uréia, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados in vitro demonstraram atividade inibitória da uréia sobre os dermatófitos, sugerindo que possa ser usada como um adjuvante em tratamentos tópicos.

In vitro studies on the potentiality of Balanites oil in the treatment of some superficial mycoses

Fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca are traditionally used in paste form for curing some skin diseases in few areas in Western Sudan. Our initial results pointed to the fruit kernel containing the active ingredient. Further studies were meant to test, in vitro, the effect of Balanites fruit kernel oil on three isolates which are known to cause superficial mycoses namely: Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton soudanense and T. mentagrophytes. The three test organisms were subcultured on sabouraud's medium to which different concentrations of Balanites kernel oil were added. In addition to appropriate controls a normal vegetable oil viz. peanut oil, was tested. BKO, at 5% concentration, showed marked [>70%] growth inhibition against the three fungal isolates tested. No antifungal activity was observed in controls, including peanut oil. Two fractions of Balanites kernel oil were prepared namely: the free fatty acids [FFA] and the unsaponifiable matter [UM], and when tested for antifungal activity with the three test organisms, the activity resided exclusively in the free fatty acid fraction. Initial clinical studies on Balanites kernel oil, currently underway, largely confirmed our in vitro work described here

[ response of tinea capitis to treatment with a two-week oral terbinafine]

Dermatophytosis is a superficial infection caused by a group of closely related fungi, Dermatophytes. Trichophyton and Microsporum species are only Dermatophytes with the capacity of invasion to hair [tinea capitis]. Terbinafine, one of the anti-dermatophytosis drugs which is recommended for the treatment of this infection for a period of 2 to 6 weeks depends on the sensitivity and severity of the infection. The best duration of therapy is not clear yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the response of tinea capitis to treatment with a two-week oral terbinafine regimen. We tested 29 clinical isolates of dermatophytes using both direct smear [%10 KOH solutions] and culture [saburow and dextrose agar medium]. Nine cases were Microsporum and twenty cases were Trichophytons. Patients were treated with oral terbinafine for two weeks and then tested clinically by the same method three times during 2.5 months for detection of the fungi. SPSS software and Fisher-test were used for data analysis. At the end of treatment period, direct Smear showed that 7 cases of ectotria and culture was negative for 20 [100%] cases of Trichophytons and positive for 9 [100%] cases of Microsporums. A two-week oral terbinafine regimen is recommended for treatment of Trichophyton infections but not for Microsporum infections

Production of heptaene antifungal antibiotic by Streptomyces purpeofuscus CM 1261.

A strain of Streptomyces purpeofuscus CM 1261 isolated from a sample of compost collected locally was found to possess strong antagonistic activity against 4 human pathogenic fungi i.e., Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton sp. The active antifungal compound produced by it was found to be a heptaene group of polyene antifungal antibiotic.

Inhibitory effect of the plant Boerhavia diffusa l. against the dermatophytic fungus Microsporum fulvum.

Antifungal activity (reduction in colony diameter) of various extracts (pt. ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol and aqueous) of aerial and root parts of Boerhavia diffusa (Nictaginaceae) was screened against dermatophytic fungi Microsporum fulvum. Statistically significant increase has been recorded in the % inhibition of the target fungal species with increasing test concentrations (1000-5000 ppm) of chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol extracts of the root. The maximum % inhibition observed in various solvent extracts of root was about 26% (chloroform), 46% (ethyl alcohol) and 57% (ethyl acetate) at 5000 ppm concentration with time exposure of 10 days. The colony diameter of the target mycelial colony decreased with increasing supplementation of the phytoextract, showing the presence of significant amount of some antifungal phytochemical moiety.

Antifungal activity of Boerhavia diffusa against some dermatophytic species of Microsporum.

Various extracts petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol) of aerial and root parts of Boerhavia diffusa was sereened for Antitungal activity (Inhibition in sporulation) against dermatophytic fungi Microsporum gypseum, M. fulvum and M. canis by using broth dilution method. Extracts of aerial part not show any noticeable antifungal activity. Ethyl acetate extract of root part of the plant was found to be most effective of against target fungal species. The maximum inhibition of mycelial growth was observed for M. gypseum (78.83%) followed by M. fulvum (62.33%) and M. canis (42.30%) of ethyl acetate in the test concentration of 1000 microg/ml 24 hours of incubation. The sporulation of target fungal species decreases with increasing supplementation of phytoextract, confirms the presence of some antifungal phytochemical moiety in roots of the plant.

A study of dermatophytes and their in-vitro antifungal sensitivity.

Of the 150 clinically suspected cases of Dermatophytosis studied, majority of the cases were from age group 11-20 and 21-30 (51.4%), Tinea corporis (48.7%) and Tinea capitis (18%) were the commonest clinical types. The isolation rate was 24% (36) of which 19 (52.7%) were Trichophyton rubrum, 11 (30.55%) were Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 4 (11.1%) were Trichophyton violaceum. One isolate each of Microsporum gypseum & Epidermophyton floccosum were obtained. Griseofulvin proved to be the best drug with a sensitivity of 94.4% followed by Miconazole (75% sensitive). Tolnaftate showed a sensitivity of 47.22%. For Clotrimazole only 30.55% of the isolates were sensitive.

Tinea capitis en la senectud / Tinea capitis in the elderly

Se presenta un caso de tinea del cuero cabelludo (tinea capitis) causada por Mycrosporum canis en un paciente de sexo masculino de 90 años de edad. Según nuestro conocimiento es el paciente de mayor edad en estas condiciones presentado hasta este momento. En la literatura se menciona otro caso de una enferma de 89 años con la misma patología

Estudio in vitro de la acción fungicida del Eugenol en solución sobresaturada de azúcar / Clove oil in over saturated sugar solution: its antifungal activity in vitro

De acuerdo a investigaciones previas realizadas con solución sobresaturada de azúcar, hemos comprobado su acción fungicida, la cual había sido probada satisfactoriamente sobre bacterias por la Dra. Joseph, A. y cols. A la solución sobresaturada de azúcar se incorporó eugenol, con el objeto de acelerar la muerte de las cepas fúngicas ensayadas. Se observaron diferencias significativas en el tiempo de muerte de los hongos estudiados con respecto a los ensayos anteriores con solución sobresaturada de azúcar

Calcium induced alterations in structural and functional role of phospholipids in Microsporum gypseum.

The effect of calcium on the structural and functional aspects of phospholipids in Microsporum gypseum was examined. Cells grown in presence of calcium exhibited increased content of phospholipids and enhanced synthesis of phospholipids as monitored by the incorporation of [32P] orthophosphoric acid. The rise in the levels of phospholipids was found to be due to increased synthesis of fatty acids as observed from [14C] acetate incorporation studies. The rise in the levels of phospholipids were reflected in the subcellular fractions also. Change in the phospholipid composition increased the fluidity of the membrane as is evident from fluorescence polarization studies using 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). The increased membrane fluidity was consistent with the enhanced uptake of [3H] proline in calcium grown cells.