In vitro Susceptibility of Clinical Aspergillus Species to Some Antifungal Agents

Abstract

Aspergillus species are regularly involved in human broncho-pulmonary diseases, mainly in immunocompromised patients. The essential oils extracted from three different plants were tested for their inhibitory effect on the growth of five pathogenic Aspergilli including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus terreus which are pathogens with clinical importance. The results of the antimicrobial tests showed that the isolated essential oils inhibited the growth of Aspergillus species to varying degrees. The Ocimum basilicum oil completely inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of A. terreus and A. fumigatus at 200 and 250 ppm. In addition, this oil showed a very strong antifungal activity against the mycelial growth and spore germination of A. flavus and A. versicolor with 97.7, 97.5, 91.2 and 93.5%, respectively, when compared with control. The essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus globulus also exhibited significant antifungal activity against the Aspergillus species tested. This oil completely inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of A. fumigatus. Conversely, Nigella sativa oil exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against all the tested Aspergillus species. The present study supports the proposition that plant essential oils may have a role in both pharmaceutical and agricultural practices.

The Effect of Ocimum basilicum L. and Its Main Ingredients on Respiratory Disorders: An Experimental, Preclinical, and Clinical Review

“…Aspergillosis comprises various diseases produced by the members of the Aspergillus genus such as A. flavus , A. fumigatus , A. niger , and A. terreus that are the common species accountable for infections ( Bahkali et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Aspergillosis comprises various diseases produced by the members of the Aspergillus genus such as A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, and A. terreus that are the common species accountable for infections (Bahkali et al, 2015). Bahkali et al (2015) reported that O. basilicum (20 mg/ml for 7 days) generally prevented the hyphae growth and spore germination of A. fumigatus and A. terreus. Also, this extract exhibited a strong antifungal property versus the hyphae growth and spore germination of A. versicolor and A. flavus.…”

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Penicillium verrucosum and analysis of their antifungal activity

“…Statistical analysis of the antifungal activity of the silver nanoparticles was carried out using Statistics for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, and data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SE). The ED 50 , ED 95 , and slope of the activity of the nanoparticles against the tested fungi were obtained using probit analysis ( Bahkali et al, 2015 ).…”