In vitro combination between antifungals and diphenyl diselenide against Cryptococcus species

Luana Rossato, Erico S Loreto, Tarcieli P Venturini, Maria Isabel de Azevedo, Abdullah M S Al-Hatmi, Janio M Santurio, Sydney H Alves

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cryptococcus species are an encapsulated fungal pathogen that cause cryptococcal meningitis. There are limited therapeutic options for this infection. The management includes the use of different antifungals such as amphotericin B, flucytosine, or fluconazole, either alone or in combination. However, numerous therapeutic failures, as well as the limited effectiveness of such therapeutics, have been described. Diphenyl diselenide is a chemically synthesised molecule with was found to have antimicrobial activity. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activities of fluconazole, amphotericin B and flucytosine, in combination with diphenyl diselenide against 30 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus spp. using CLSI M27-A3 method and the checkerboard microdilution technique. Our results show that the combination of flucytosine and diphenyl diselenide displayed 100% of synergism. However, when we analysed (PhSe)2 plus AMB or FLZ we observed around 70% of indifference. Our results suggest that the combination of diphenyl diselenide with other antifungal agents deserves attention as a new option for the development of alternative therapies for cryptococcosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)508-512
Number of pages5
JournalMycoses
Volume62
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Amphotericin B/pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents/pharmacology
  • Benzene Derivatives/pharmacology
  • Cryptococcosis/microbiology
  • Cryptococcus/drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fluconazole/pharmacology
  • Flucytosine/pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Organoselenium Compounds/pharmacology

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