Effect of clotrimazole on Naegleria fowleri

Abstract

The sensitivity of 18 strains of Naegleria fowleri to clotrimazole (Bay b5097) was tested. They showed minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range 0.03 to 0.125 μg/ml, and minimal amoebicidal concentrations in the range 0.125 to 0.25 μg/ml. Mice inoculated with N. fowleri were not protected from infection by doses of 100 mg clotrimazole/kg per day given for 5 days after inoculation. Mice had serum levels of up to 6 μg/ml in the first 32 hours after inoculation. Clotrimazole appeared to be ineffective in protecting against infection with N. fowleri.