Effect of Antifungal Drugs on Pathogenic Naegleria spp
Isolated from Natural Water Sources
SUPATHRA TIEWCHAROEN, MD, DipFamMed, MSc*,
VIRACH JUNNU, MSc*,
SURASAK SUVOUTHO, MSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
AbstractFive of 16 strains of pathogenic Naegleria spp isolated from 350 natural water sources in Taling
Chan District, Bangkok had similar molecular weights and zymogram patterns to those of Naegleria
fowleri CDCVO 3081 and Thai strain. The in vitro effects of antifungal drugs (amphotericin B, ketocona
zole, fluconazole and itraconazole) were tested at the following concentrations: amphotericin B 0.01-
0.55 Jlg/ml, ketoconazole 0.01-0.3 Jlg/ml, fluconazole 0.75-3.5 mg/ml and itraconazole 4-12 mg/ml
respectively. Aliquots (15,000 cells/ml) of the amoebae were placed in the cells of the microtiter plate
and incubated at 37"C. Amoebae from each treatment sample were exposed to one of the four antifun
gal drugs. Statistical analysis was done by dependent t-test. The sensitivity of the antifungal drugs (MIC )
50
was as follows : amphotericin B 0.03-0.035 Jlg/ml ketoconazole 0.05-0.15 Jlg/ml fluconazole 1.75
mg/ml and itraconazole 8-9 mg/ml respectively (p < 0.005).
Conclusion : Amphotericin B and ketoco
nazole are more active against Naegleriafowleri in vitro. The results of the present study should be used
as an in vitro screening test for drugs that have potential amebicidal activity.
Keywords : Antifungal Drugs, Pathogenic Naegleria spp
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