Fungistasis of hydrocortisone and certain of its analogues.

Abstract

Topically applied, hydrocortisone and related chemical substances are in common dermatologic use. We have observed their beneficial effects upon many patients with dermatoses clinically resembling dermatophytosis. We therefore wished to know whether hydrocortisone and certain of its analogues were fungistatic in vitro. A search of the literature disclosed no data bearing directly on this question. Method Organisms selected for study were common dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton gypseum, Microsporum audouini, Microsporum canis, and Candida albicans. With use of finely pulverized hydrocortisone tablets, which proved insoluble in water, a suspension was first made in 95% ethyl alcohol before incorporation in Sabouraud's medium. In 0.1% hydrocortisone in Sabouraud's medium so prepared, C. albicans was the only organism that grew. Control media, containing the same amount of alcohol but no hydrocortisone, were inoculated with the several organisms, and again only C. albicans grew. It appeared that the presence of alcohol