Antifungal Combinations

Year prepared: 2005

The increase in fungal infections and the change in fungal epidemiology is caused by the extensive use of antifungal agents to treat fungal infections that are being diagnosed in severly immunocompromised hosts. In addition, opportunistic fungal infections resistant to antifungal drugs have become increasingly common, and the armamentarium for treatment remains limited. A possible approach to overcoming these problems is to combine antifungal drugs, especially if the mechanisms of action are different. The in vitro test is the first step to evaluate possible antifungal combinations. In this chapter, the three most frequently used metholodologies are described: checkerboard, E-test, and time-kill curves. The description of each technique and intrepretaion of the results are addressed in detail.

Laboratory Protocols

Select from:Additional methods & referenceAflatoxinsAssaying antifungal levelsAssaying mycotoxinsAztec Labs Diagnostic testing ProtocolsBiochemical CalculatorsBiofilmBiotypingCell Component ExtractionClinical BreakpointsCollection of Clinical MaterialCosmidsDetection in clinical samplesDNA extractionEnzyme synthesisFungal Molecular BiologyGeneral Molecular BiologyGeneticsGrowth and StorageHistologyMethods for DNA sequencingMicroscopyModel systems: in vitroModel systems: in vivoMore protocol collectionsPCR  -RT-qPCRPhagocytosisPlanar liquid chromatographyPost Antifungal Effects (PAFE)Preparation of amphotericin pasteProtein methodsProtocol overviewsQuality control in mycologySampling Aspergillus sporesSecondary metabolitesSpecies/Strain identification  -In situ hydridizationStandard Operating Procedures:National Aspergillosis CentreSusceptibility testingVeterinaryVideo Protocols at the FGSCWhole blood fractionationwhole-cell screening