Antifungal activities of diphenyl diselenide and ebselen alone and in combination with antifungal agents against Fusarium spp.

Herein, we describe the in vitro activity of a combination of the organoselenium compounds diphenyl diselenide and ebselen alone and in combination with amphotericin B, caspofungin, itraconazole, and voriconazole against 25 clinical isolates of Fusarium spp. For this analysis, we used the broth microdilution method based on the M38-A2 technique and checkerboard microdilution method. Diphenyl diselenide (MIC range = 4-32 µg/ml) and ebselen (MIC range = 2-8 µg/ml) showed in vitro activity against the isolates tested. The most effective combinations were (synergism rates): ebselen + amphotericin B (88%), ebselen + voriconazole (80%), diphenyl diselenide + amphotericin B (72%), and diphenyl diselenide + voriconazole (64%). Combination with caspofungin resulted in low rates of synergism: ebselen + caspofungin, 36%, and diphenyl diselenide + caspofungin, 28%; combination with itraconazole demonstrated indifferent interactions. Antagonistic effects were not observed for any of the combinations tested. Our findings suggest that the antifungal potential of diphenyl diselenide and ebselen deserves further investigation in in vivo experimental models, especially in combination with amphotericin B and voriconazole.

In vitro synergisms obtained by amphotericin B and voriconazole associated with non-antifungal agents against Fusarium spp.

Fusarium spp is an opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for causing invasive hyalohyphomycosis in immunocompromised patients. Due to its susceptibility pattern with a remarkable resistance to antifungal agents the treatment failures and mortality rates are high. To overcome this situation, combination therapy may be considered which must be subjected to in vitro tests. In vitro activities of amphotericin B, itraconazole, and voriconazole associated with azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, fluvastatin, ibuprofen, metronidazole, and also the combination of amphotericin B plus rifampin against 23 strains of Fusarium spp. through the checkerboard technique based on M38-A2 [Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (2008). Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of filamentous fungi; approved standard, 2nd ed. (CLSI document M38-A2) (ISBN 1-56238-668-9). Wayne, PA: CLSI] were evaluated. The best synergistic interactions with amphotericin B were with ibuprofen (43.5%) (FICI [fractional inhibitory concentration index] range = 0.25-2). Combinations with voriconazole showed synergism, mainly with ciprofloxacin (30.4%) (FICI range = 0.25-3) and metronidazole (30.4%) (FICI range = 0.1-4); however, all the combinations with itraconazole were indifferent. In general, antagonistic interactions were not registered. Our results showed that in vitro synergisms obtained by some combinations studied deserve attention since they were better than those showed by the antimycotic.