In-vitro antifungal activity of liposomal nystatin in comparison with nystatin, amphotericin B cholesteryl sulphate, liposomal amphotericin B, amphotericin B lipid complex, amphotericin B desoxycholate, fluconazole and itraconazole

The in-vitro susceptibilities of 120 clinical isolates of yeasts to liposom al nystatin were compared with those to amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) , liposomal amphotericin B (LAB), amphotericin B cholesteryl sulphate (ABCD ), amphotericin B desoxycholate, nystatin, fluconazole and itraconazole. Ye ast isolates examined included strains of Candida albicans, Candida parapsi losis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida guilliermondii, Candida tr opicalis, Candida kefyr, Candida viswanathii, Candida famata, Candida rugos a, Rhodotorula rubra, Trichosporon spp., Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptoc occus neoformans. The mean MICs for all strains examined were: liposomal ny statin 0.96 mg/L; nystatin 0.54 mg/L; ABLC 0.65 mg/L; LAB 1.07 mg/L; ABCD 0 .75 mg/L; amphotericin B 0.43 mg/L; fluconazole 5.53 mg/L; and itraconazole 0.33 mg/L. No significant differences were seen between the activity of li posomal nystatin and the polyene drugs or itraconazole, but liposomal nysta tin was more active than fluconazole. MICs were lower than the reported blo od concentrations following therapeutic doses of this drug, indicating the potential for a therapeutic use of liposomal nystatin in humans. These resu lts indicate good activity in vitro against medically important yeasts, whi ch compares favourably with the activities of other currently available ant ifungal drugs. Liposomal nystatin may have a role in the treatment of disse minated and systemic mycoses.