Antifungal efficacy of commercial silver sulfadiazine formulations

Résumé fourni par la source

Infections caused by filamentous fungi represent a growing problem in human health, especially in patients with burns injuries or immunocompromised. Silver sulfadiazine is a topical antimicrobial known for its bacterial efficacy, although its antifungal action has been poorly explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of silver sulfadiazine, in its commercial forms (Platsul-A® cream, spray, and gauze) and in its pure form, against strains of Rhizopus spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., and Mucor spp. Agar diffusion assays and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by agar dilution were performed. The results demonstrated that silver sulfadiazine exhibits significant antifungal activity against all strains tested, with inhibition zones of up to 20 mm and MICs ranging from 64 to 128 µg/mL. The commercial forms were effective, especially the spray formulation. Placebos showed no antifungal activity. These findings suggest that silver sulfadiazine could be a potential alternative for the topical treatment of filamentous fungal infections. Impact statement This study provides novel evidence on the antifungal activity of silver sulfadiazine, evaluating for the first time its efficacy against clinically relevant filamentous fungi ( Rhizopus , Fusarium , Alternaria , and Mucor ). Through agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, it was demonstrated that both the pure compound and its commercial formulations (notably the aerosol) significantly inhibited fungal growth, with MICs ranging from 64–128 µg/mL. The lack of activity in placebo controls confirms the effect is due to the active ingredient. This contribution is relevant in the current clinical context, where fungal infections in patients with burns injuries or who are immunocompromised are increasingly frequent and available antifungal treatments are limited. The study expands knowledge on the potential repurpose of a traditional antibacterial drug for antifungal topical use, with both therapeutic and economic implications. The significance of the findings is incremental, as it opens a practical and accessible research avenue for treating fungal infections without requiring new drug development. The scope of interest includes professionals in clinical microbiology, dermatology, infectious diseases, and pharmaceutical development, making this a useful and concrete addition to the literature in the field.

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