Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the in vitro activities of flutrimazole against fungal pathogens isolated from tinea pedis.Methods In vitro drug sensitivities were determined using the broth microdilution methods according to the CLSI M38-A2(for dermatophytes) and M27-A3(for yeasts) documents.Results When against Trichophyton rubrum, the range of minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC), MIC₅₀, MIC₉₀, and geometric mean(GM) MIC for flutrimazole were 0.031~2μg/mL, 0.5μg/mL, 1μg/mL and 0.637μg/mL;for bifonazole were 0.031~16μg/mL, 0.25μg/mL, 2μg/mL and 0.634μg/mL;no significant(P=0.974) difference was found for the GM MIC between the two drugs.When against Trichophyton interdigitale, the range of MIC, MIC₅₀, MIC₉₀, and GM MIC for flutrimazole were 0.031~1μg/mL, 0.031μg/mL, 0.5μg/mL and 0.17μg/mL;for bifonazole were 0.125~16μg/mL, 1μg/mL, 2μg/mL and 1.886μg/mL;significant(P=0.001) difference was found for the GM MIC between the two drugs.Even though there are a few number of yeast strains, this study showed that the two drugs had significant difference for the GM MIC against Candida spp.(P=0.000) and Trichosporon spp.(P=0.031).Conclusion In vitro activity of flutrimazole was similar to bifonazole when against T.rubrum, but better than bifonazole when against T.interdigitale, Candida spp.and Trichosporon spp..

Key words: flutrimazole, bifonazole, dermatophytes, yeasts, in vitro