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Elabbasi A, Kadry A, Joseph W, Elewski B, Ghannoum M. Transungual Penetration and Antifungal Activity of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Topical Antifungals: Ex Vivo Comparison. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2024; 14:2495-2507. [PMID: 39133361 PMCID: PMC11393267 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-024-01237-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Topical antifungals for toenail onychomycosis must penetrate the nail to deliver an inhibitory concentration of free drug to the site of infection. In two ex vivo experiments, we tested the ability of topical antifungals to inhibit growth of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most common causative fungi in toenail onychomycosis. METHODS Seven topical antifungals were tested: three U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved products indicated for onychomycosis (ciclopirox 8% lacquer; efinaconazole 10% solution; tavaborole 5% solution) and four over-the-counter (OTC) products for fungal infections (tolnaftate 1% and/or undecylenic acid 25% solutions). The ability to inhibit fungal growth was tested in the presence and absence of keratin. Products were applied either to human cadaverous nails or keratin-free cellulose disks prior to placement on an agar plate (radius: 85 mm) seeded with a clinical isolate of T. rubrum or T. mentagrophytes. After incubation, the zone of inhibition (ZI), defined as the radius of the area of no fungal growth, was recorded. RESULTS In the nail penetration assay, average ZIs for efinaconazole (T. rubrum: 82.1 mm; T. mentagrophytes: 63.8 mm) were significantly greater than those for tavaborole (63.5 mm; 39.1 mm), ciclopirox (7.4 mm; 3.6 mm) and all OTC products (range: 10.5-34.2 mm against both species; all P < 0.001). In the cellulose disk diffusion assay, efinaconazole and tavaborole demonstrated maximal antifungal activity against both species (ZIs = 85 mm); average ZIs against T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were smaller for ciclopirox (59.0 and 55.7 mm, respectively) and OTC products (range: 31.2-57.8 mm and 25.7-47.7 mm, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Among all antifungals tested, the ability to penetrate human toenails to inhibit growth of both T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes was greatest for efinaconazole, followed by tavaborole. These results indicate superior transungual penetration of efinaconazole compared to the other antifungals, suggesting lower keratin binding in the nail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Elabbasi
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ahmed Kadry
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Warren Joseph
- Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Boni Elewski
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mahmoud Ghannoum
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Director, Center for Medical Mycology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Wearn 311, Cleveland, OH, 44106-5028, USA.
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Mazzantini D, Massimino M, Calvigioni M, Rossi V, Celandroni F, Lupetti A, Batoni G, Ghelardi E. Anti-staphylococcal activity of a polyphenol-rich citrus extract: synergy with β-lactams and low proficiency to induce resistance. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1415400. [PMID: 39021634 PMCID: PMC11252074 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1415400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antibiotic resistance represents one of the most significant threats to public health in the 21st century. Polyphenols, natural molecules with antibacterial activity produced by plants, are being considered as alternative antimicrobial strategies to manage infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of a polyphenol mixture extracted from citrus fruits, against both antibiotic-susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Methods Broth microdilution and time-kill curve experiments were used to test the extract anti-staphylococcal activity. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the hemolysis assay. The interaction between the mixture and antibiotics was investigated by the checkerboard assay. The effect of B alone and in combination with oxacillin on the membrane potential was investigated by the 3,3'-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide assay. The ability of the extract to induce the development of resistance was verified by propagating S. aureus for 10 transfers in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations. Results The citrus extract was found to be active against all Staphylococcus strains at remarkably low concentrations (0.0031 and 0.0063%), displaying rapid bactericidal effects without being toxic on erythrocytes. In particular, B was found to rapidly cause membrane depolarization. When combined with methicillin, meropenem, and oxacillin, the mixture displayed synergistic activity exclusively against methicillin-resistant strains. We additionally show that the sequential exposure of S. aureus to sub-inhibitory concentrations did not induce the development of resistance against the extract. Discussion Overall, these findings support the potential use of the citrus extract as promising option to manage staphylococcal infections and suggest that it may counteract the mechanism behind methicillin-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Gupta AK, Elewski B, Joseph WS, Lipner SR, Daniel CR, Tosti A, Guenin E, Ghannoum M. Treatment of onychomycosis in an era of antifungal resistance: Role for antifungal stewardship and topical antifungal agents. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13683. [PMID: 38214375 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
A growing body of literature has marked the emergence and spread of antifungal resistance among species of Trichophyton, the most prevalent cause of toenail and fingernail onychomycosis in the United States and Europe. We review published data on rates of oral antifungal resistance among Trichophyton species; causes of antifungal resistance and methods to counteract it; and in vitro data on the role of topical antifungals in the treatment of onychomycosis. Antifungal resistance among species of Trichophyton against terbinafine and itraconazole-the two most common oral treatments for onychomycosis and other superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytes-has been detected around the globe. Fungal adaptations, patient characteristics (e.g., immunocompromised status; drug-drug interactions), and empirical diagnostic and treatment patterns may contribute to reduced antifungal efficacy and the development of antifungal resistance. Antifungal stewardship efforts aim to ensure proper antifungal use to limit antifungal resistance and improve clinical outcomes. In the treatment of onychomycosis, critical aspects of antifungal stewardship include proper identification of the fungal infection prior to initiation of treatment and improvements in physician and patient education. Topical ciclopirox, efinaconazole and tavaborole, delivered either alone or in combination with oral antifungals, have demonstrated efficacy in vitro against susceptible and/or resistant isolates of Trichophyton species, with low potential for development of antifungal resistance. Additional real-world long-term data are needed to monitor global rates of antifungal resistance and assess the efficacy of oral and topical antifungals, alone or in combination, in counteracting antifungal resistance in the treatment of onychomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Gupta
- Mediprobe Research Inc., London, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Boni Elewski
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Warren S Joseph
- Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | | | - C Ralph Daniel
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | | | - Eric Guenin
- Ortho Dermatologics (a division of Bausch Health US, LLC), Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mahmoud Ghannoum
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Krajewska J, Chyży P, Durka K, Wińska P, Krzyśko KA, Luliński S, Laudy AE. Aromatic Diboronic Acids as Effective KPC/AmpC Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:7362. [PMID: 37959781 PMCID: PMC10648349 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 30 compounds, including para-, meta-, and ortho-phenylenediboronic acids, ortho-substituted phenylboronic acids, benzenetriboronic acids, di- and triboronated thiophenes, and pyridine derivatives were investigated as potential β-lactamase inhibitors. The highest activity against KPC-type carbapenemases was found for ortho-phenylenediboronic acid 3a, which at the concentration of 8/4 mg/L reduced carbapenems' MICs up to 16/8-fold, respectively. Checkerboard assays revealed strong synergy between carbapenems and 3a with the fractional inhibitory concentrations indices of 0.1-0.32. The nitrocefin hydrolysis test and the whole cell assay with E. coli DH5α transformant carrying blaKPC-3 proved KPC enzyme being its molecular target. para-Phenylenediboronic acids efficiently potentiated carbapenems against KPC-producers and ceftazidime against AmpC-producers, whereas meta-phenylenediboronic acids enhanced only ceftazidime activity against the latter ones. Finally, the statistical analysis confirmed that ortho-phenylenediboronic acids act synergistically with carbapenems significantly stronger than other groups. Since the obtained phenylenediboronic compounds are not toxic to MRC-5 human fibroblasts at the tested concentrations, they can be considered promising scaffolds for the future development of novel KPC/AmpC inhibitors. The complexation of KPC-2 with the most representative isomeric phenylenediboronic acids 1a, 2a, and 3a was modeled by quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. Compound 3a reached the most effective configuration enabling covalent binding to the catalytic Ser70 residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Krajewska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Chyży
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Durka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (K.D.); (P.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Patrycja Wińska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (K.D.); (P.W.); (S.L.)
| | | | - Sergiusz Luliński
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (K.D.); (P.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Agnieszka E. Laudy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
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Novel and Investigational Treatments for Onychomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101079. [PMID: 36294644 PMCID: PMC9604567 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Onychomycosis is a common nail disease caused by fungi. The primary pathogens are dermatophytes; however, yeasts, non-dermatophyte moulds, and mixed fungal populations may also contribute to the development of a recalcitrant condition, usually accompanied by difficulties in everyday life and severe emotional stress. Treatment failure and relapse of the infection are the most frequent problems, though new issues have become the new challenges in the therapeutic approach to onychomycosis. Resistance to antifungals, an increasing number of comorbidities, and polydrug use among the ageing population are imperatives that impose a shift to safer drugs. Topical antifungals are considered less toxic and minimally interact with other drugs. The development of new topical drugs for onychomycosis is driven by the unmet need for effective agents with prolonged post-treatment disease-free time and a lack of systemic impact on the patients’ health. Efinaconazole, Tavaborole, and Luliconazole have been added to physicians’ weaponry during the last decade, though launched on the market of a limited number of countries. The pipeline is either developing new products (e.g., ME-1111 and NP213) with an appealing combination of pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and safety properties or reformulating old, well-known drugs (Terbinafine and Amphotericin B) by using new excipients as penetration enhancers.
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Shamsizadeh F, Zarei Mahmoudabadi A, Shariat Nabavi M, Guillot J, Taghipour S, Rezaei-Matehkolaei A. In vitro activities of 8 antifungal agents against geophilic dermatophyte isolates. Mycoses 2021; 65:255-262. [PMID: 34861084 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Members of the Nannizzia gypsea complex are globally the most common geophilic dermatophytes which cause infection in animals and human. Although the susceptibility patterns of anthropophilic or zoophilic dermatophyte species to antifungal agents are well documented, the effectiveness of such drugs against geophilic species have rarely been explored. OBJECTIVES This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of common and new antifungals against a set of environmental and clinical geophilic dermatophyte isolates. METHODS 108 soil and clinical geophilic isolates from two genera Nannizzia (N. fulva n = 59; N. gypsea n = 43) and Arthroderma (A. quadrifidum n = 4; A. gertleri n = 1; A. tuberculatum n = 1) were included in the study. The in vitro antifungal susceptibility patterns of eight common and new antifungals against the isolates were determined according to broth microdilution method and by CLSI M38-A3 (3rd edition) protocol. RESULTS MIC values across all isolates from five species ranged as: luliconazole: 0.0002-0.002 µg/ml, terbinafine: 0.008-0.125 µg/ml, efinaconazole: 0.008-0.125 µg/ml, ciclopirox olamine: 0.03-0.5 µg/ml, itraconazole: 0.125-1 µg/ml, amorolfine hydrochloride: 0.125-4 µg/ml, griseofulvin: 0.25-2 µg/ml and tavaborole: 1-8 µg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION Luliconazole, terbinafine and efinaconazole exhibited the highest in vitro efficacy, regardless of the dermatophyte species. Further surveillance studies are recommended to confirm the implication of such in vitro data for the clinical recovery rate of dermatophytosis with geophilic species following antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Shamsizadeh
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Shariat Nabavi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Dynamic Research Group, UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Dermatology Parasitology Mycology Department, Oniris Ecole Nationale Veterinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation, Nantes, France
| | - Simin Taghipour
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Ali Rezaei-Matehkolaei
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE With the widespread use of antifungals to treat superficial mycoses, reports of antifungal resistance are increasing. Antifungal resistance is becoming a public health challenge and needs to be addressed in parallel with antibacterial and antiviral resistance. METHODS We review the growing resistance of fungal pathogens such as Trichophyton species and the emergence of novel pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains in superficial mycoses. We also discuss the importance of laboratory diagnosis and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) in the management of recalcitrant infections. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Antifungal resistance can occur naturally or develop over time when fungi are exposed to antifungals. The frequency of terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton isolates is increasing. Opportunistic pathogens such as Aspergillus and Candida species have developed resistance to classic azoles such as itraconazole and fluconazole, and the newer azoles such as posaconazole and voriconazole. Although uncommon, topical antifungals such as efinaconazole and tavaborole have shown to induce resistance in Trichophyton rubrum. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Trichophyton mentagrophytes/interdigitale, Candida auris, and Aspergillus species causing severe infections is highly concerning. Routine AFST should be considered to determine the most effective treatment, especially if there is failure to therapy. Combination treatment of oral and topical antifungals may be a consideration for managing recalcitrant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Toronto School of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Mediprobe Research Inc., London, ON, Canada
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