Pentamidine inhibits the growth of Sporothrix schenckii complex and exhibits synergism with antifungal agents

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the antileishmanials meglumine antimoniate and pentamidine against Sporothrix schenckii complex. The antifungal activity of the two antileishmanials was assessed by broth microdilution. The interaction between the antileishmanials and antifungal drugs (amphotericin B, itraconazole and terbinafine) was evaluated by the checkerboard assay. The effect of prior exposure of Sporothrix spp. yeast cells to antileishmanials was evaluated by broth microdilution. Only pentamidine showed antifungal activity against Sporothrix spp. Synergistic interactions were observed between pentamidine and the antifungals. Also, the pre-exposure to meglumine antimoniate reduced the susceptibility of Sardinella brasiliensis and S. schenckii sensu stricto to amphotericin B and itraconazole. Pentamidine showed antifungal activity against Sporothrix spp., indicating it is a possible therapeutic alternative for the treatment of sporotrichosis.