MEDICAL MYCOLOGY

Dr Tadayo Hashimoto M.D.
Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology

18. Azole antifungal agents such as ketoconazole and itraconazole:

are metabolites of bacteria
interfere with the biosynthesis of ergosterol in susceptible fungi
should never be given orally
are similar to polyene antibiotics in their mode of action
are indicated only for dermatophytosis

(B) Ketoconazole, itraconazole and other azole antifungal agents are chemically synthesized, not microbial products. Its mode of action is the interference of ergosterol biosynthesis in fungi. In contrast to this, the mode of action of polyene antibiotics is the disturbance of the normal function of the fungal cytoplasmic membrane due to their specific binding to ergosterol in the membrane. Some of azole antifungal agents such as ketoconazole can be given orally significantly reducing the cost of treatment of severe systemic mycoses. Azole antifungal agents are effective against a variety of pathogenic fungi. (Ryan et al, pp. 582-584)

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