In vitro activity of terbinafine against medically important non-dermatophyte species of filamentous fungi.

OBJECTIVES The activity in vitro of terbinafine against 442 clinical isolates of several species of filamentous fungi was analysed. METHODS A broth microdilution test was carried out following the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards reference method, with modifications described previously. RESULTS The geometric mean (GM) of MICs of terbinafine for non-Aspergillus fumigatus species was 0.24 mg/L whereas the GM for A. fumigatus rose as far as 2.92 mg/L. Terbinafine showed a very strong activity in vitro against Penicillium spp., Paecilomyces spp., Trichoderma spp., Acremonium spp. and Arthrographis spp. with GMs <1 mg/L. However, some species such as Scedosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and most of Mucorales exhibited high MICs of the allylamine with GMs >/= 4 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the GM of MICs of terbinafine was 1.57 mg/L, but significant differences in susceptibilities were seen between genera and species.