In vitro activity of terbinafine against medically important non-dermatophyte species of filamentous fungi.
OBJECTIVE
The activity in vitro of terbinafine against 442 clinical isolates of several species of filamentous fungi was analysed.


METHODS
A broth microdilution test was carried out following the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards reference method, with modifications described previously.


RESULTS
The geometric mean (GM) of MICs of terbinafine for non-Aspergillus fumigatus species was 0.24 mg/L whereas the GM for A. fumigatus rose as far as 2.92 mg/L. Terbinafine showed a very strong activity in vitro against Penicillium spp., Paecilomyces spp., Trichoderma spp., Acremonium spp. and Arthrographis spp. with GMs <1 mg/L. However, some species such as Scedosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and most of Mucorales exhibited high MICs of the allylamine with GMs >/= 4 mg/L.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the GM of MICs of terbinafine was 1.57 mg/L, but significant differences in susceptibilities were seen between genera and species.
Garcia-Effron
Guillermo
G
Servicio de Micología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Gomez-Lopez
Alicia
A
Mellado
Emilia
E
Monzon
Araceli
A
Rodriguez-Tudela
Juan L
JL
Cuenca-Estrella
Manuel
M
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D013030:Spain; D000077291:Terbinafine; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D065819:Voriconazole
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D017964:Itraconazole; D000666:Amphotericin B; D000077291:Terbinafine; D065819:Voriconazole