In vitro activities of nine antifungal agents against rare pathogenic fungi

Purpose. To assess in vitro activities of nine antifungal agents (amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, terbinafine and 5-flucytosine) against 93 strains of rare pathogenic fungi and the combined effects of drug combinations against several multidrug-resistant fungi. Methodology. The broth microdilution method M38-A3 and M27-A4 from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the checkerboard method were performed in this study. Results. Low MICs for fluconazole were observed in moulds including Tritirachium oryzae, Exophiala attenuata and yeasts. MICs for amphotericin B>2 mu g ml(-1) were found among Aspergillus nidulans, Fusarium napiforme, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Tritirachium oryzae, Cunninghamella bertholletiae, Cunninghamella phaeospora, Conidiobolus coronatus, Exophiala attenuata, Ochro-conis mirabilis and Rhinocladiella basitona. Multidrug resistance was observed in Microascus spp., Lomentospora prolificans and Pythium insidiosum. Conclusion. Our study illustrated in vitro drug susceptibilities of some rare pathogenic fungi, which provide data to guide clinical treatment of fungal infections.