Antimycotic properties of thiabendazole

With the introduction of chlormidazole, interest in the antifungal activity of azole compounds began to increase. For example, after the introduction of thiabendazole, a thiazolyl-benzimidazole, in 1961 by Merck Sharp & Dohme for use as a broad-spectrum antihelminthic drug, Robinson et al. tested the compound for antifungal activity in vitro. It was effective against many dermatophytes and Aspergillus species, but since its activity against yeast-like fungi was minimal, the compound was not developed as an antifungal agent.

Thiabendazole, was first discovered to be an unusually potent broad spectrum anthelmintic. Extensive acute and chronic toxicity studies in a variety of animal species have shown thiabendazole to be well tolerated even when administered orally over a 2-year period. More recently thiabendazole was discovered to suppress the growth of saprophytic fungi. The present paper deals with the effect of thiabendazole in vitro on various pathogenic and saprophytic fungi. Included in the latter group of organisms are cultures which are known to produce mycotoxins. Comparative studies were made with nystatin and griseofulvin.

Reference

Robinson, H. J., H. F. Phares, and 0. E. Graessle. Antimycotic properties of thiabendazole. 1964.. J. Invest. Dermatol. 42:479-482.