In vitro activity of phenothiazines and their combinations with amphotericin B against Zygomycetes causing rhinocerebral zygomycosis

Abstract

The in vitro antifungal activities of two phenothiazine (PTZ) compounds, trifluoperazine (TFP) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) separately and in combination with amphotericin B (AMB) were tested against eight fungal isolates known to be possible agents of rhinocerebral zygomycosis. While both PTZs individually had antifungal effects against these filamentous fungi, only the antifungal activity of TFP increased in presence of AMB. TFP and AMB acted synergistically and caused full inhibition of all strains tested except for Absidia glauca. In contrast, CPZ was found to act antagonistically with AMB with all of studied isolates.