Abstract
Background: Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic produced by Micromonospora purpurea bacteria, effective against Gram-negative bacterial infections. Major fractions of the gentamicin complex (C1, C1a, C2, C2a) possess weak antifungal activity and one of the minor components (A, A1–A4, B, B1, X), gentamicin B1 was found to be a strong antifungal agent. Methods: This work uses in vitro and in vivo dilution methods to compare the antifusarial, antiaspergillic and anticryptococcal effects of gentamicin derivatives and structurally-related congeners. Results: The in vitro antifusarial activity of gentamicin B1 (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.4 μg/mL) and structurally-related compounds (MIC 0.8–12.5 μg/mL) suggests that the purpuroseamine ring substituents are responsible for the specific antimycotic effect. The functional groups of the garoseamine and 2-deoxystreptamine rings of gentamicin derivatives are identical in gentamicin compounds and are unlikely to exert a significant antifungal effect. Among soil dermatophytes, Microsporum gypseum was more susceptible to gentamicin B1 (MIC 3.1 µg/mL) than Trichophyton gypseum (MIC 25 µg/mL). The in vitro antifungal effect of gentamicin B1 against plant pathogenic fungi was comparable to primary antifungal agents. Conclusion: Gentamicin is already in medical use. In vitro and preclinical in vivo synergisms of gentamicin B1 with amphotericin B suggest immediate clinical trials starting with subtoxic doses.
Highlights
Mycoses may cause mild allergic reactions and life-threatening opportunistic pathogenic diseases such as invasive aspergillosis, fusariosis or candidiasis [1,2]
The in vitro antifungal effect of gentamicin B1 against plant pathogenic fungi was comparable to primary antifungal agents
Noninvasive bronchopulmonary diseases may lead to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised but even in immunocompetent individuals [3]
Summary
Mycoses may cause mild allergic reactions and life-threatening opportunistic pathogenic diseases such as invasive aspergillosis, fusariosis or candidiasis [1,2]. Bronchopulmonary fusariosis occurs almost exclusively in severely immunocompromised persons, especially in acute leukemia patients and recipients of allotransplants [1]. These infections are difficult to treat because persons infected with endemic mycoses are immunosuppressed and resistant to antifungal agents [6]. Methods: This work uses in vitro and in vivo dilution methods to compare the antifusarial, antiaspergillic and anticryptococcal effects of gentamicin derivatives and structurally-related congeners. Results: The in vitro antifusarial activity of gentamicin B1 (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.4 μg/mL) and structurally-related compounds (MIC 0.8–12.5 μg/mL) suggests that the purpuroseamine ring substituents are responsible for the specific antimycotic effect. Microsporum gypseum was more susceptible to gentamicin B1 (MIC 3.1 μg/mL) than
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
