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Activity and post antifungal effect of chlorpromazine and trifluopherazine against Aspergillus , Scedosporium and zygomycetes
Author(s) -
Vitale Roxana G.,
Afeltra Javier,
Meis Jacques F. G. M.,
Verweij Paul E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01371.x
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial , biology , chlorpromazine , aspergillus , phenothiazine , antifungal , ketoconazole , in vitro , pharmacology , biochemistry
Summary The phenothiazine compounds chlorpromazine and trifluopherazine are antipsychotic agents that exhibit antimicrobial activity against bacteria, some protozoa and yeasts. Data of activity against filamentous fungi are lacking. The in vitro activity and postantifungal effect (PAFE) of chlorpromazine and trifluopherazine was determined against Aspergillus species, zygomycetes and Scedosporium species. In vitro susceptibility testing was performed with CLSI M38A and the PAFE was determined with previously established methods. Both drugs inhibited the growth of all fungi tested at concentrations of 16 to 64 μ g ml −1 . For Aspergillus species the mean PAFE was 3.7 and 4.7 h; for zygomycetes, 3.1 and 3.4 h; for Scedosporium , 4.3 and 5.3 h for chlorpromazine and trifluoroperazine respectively. These are the first drugs shown to induce PAFE against Scedosporium . We show that phenothiazine compounds have in vitro antifungal activity and exhibit PAFE against a broad range of filamentous fungal pathogens. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, further studies are needed to explore the clinical usefulness of phenothiazine compounds.