The antifungal activity of mupirocin.
The antibacterial agent mupirocin (pseudomonic acid A) is used as a topical agent in the treatment of superficial infections by Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. However, we demonstrate here that the compound also inhibits the growth of a number of pathogenic fungi in vitro, including a range of dermatophytes and Pityrosporum spp. It inhibited the incorporation of amino acids and precursors of RNA, but not that of acetate, by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. It also inhibited the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Candida albicans, indicating a mechanism of action similar to that in bacteria. When administered topically, mupirocin was efficacious in a T. mentagrophytes ringworm model in guinea pigs. These results suggest that mupirocin could have clinical utility for superficial infections caused by dermatophytes.
Nicholas
R O
RO
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA. richard_o_nicholas@sbphrd.com
Berry
V
V
Hunter
P A
PA
Kelly
J A
JA
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007533:Isoleucine-tRNA Ligase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D008290:Malassezia / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000187:drug effects
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D016712:Mupirocin; D007533:Isoleucine-tRNA Ligase