title: Antifungal effect of silver nanoparticles on dermatophytes.
abstract: Spherical silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) were synthesized and their antifungal effects on fungal pathogens of the skin were investigated. Nano-Ag showed potent activity against clinical isolates and ATCC strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida species (IC80, 1-7 microg/ml). The activity of nano-Ag was comparable to that of amphotericin B, but superior to that of fluconazole (amphotericin B IC80, 1-5 microg/ml; fluconazole IC80, 10- 30 microg/ml). Additionally, we investigated their effects on the dimorphism of Candida albicans. The results showed nano-Ag exerted activity on the mycelia. Thus, the present study indicates nano-Ag may have considerable antifungal activity, deserving further investigation for clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Keuk-Jun
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Woo Sang
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Seok-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Jong-Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jong Guk
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Gun
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee