N-Chlorotaurine, a Promising Future Candidate for Topical Therapy of Fungal Infections

Abstract

N-Chlorotaurine (NCT) is a mild long-lived oxidant that can be applied to sensitive body regions as an endogenous antiseptic. Enhancement of its microbicidal activity in the presence of proteinaceous material because of transchlorination, a postantibiotic/postantifungal effect and antitoxic activity renders it interesting for treatment of fungal infections, too. This is confirmed by first case applications in skin and mucous membranes of different body sites. Recent findings of good tolerability of inhaled NCT suggest further investigations of this substance for treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases, where microorganisms play a role, particularly multi-resistant ones. The availability of a well-tolerated and effective inhaled antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties could be a significant progress, in particular for chronic pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis.

Nasal disinfection for the prevention and control of COVID-19: A scoping review on potential chemo-preventive agents

“…A phase I double-blind randomized clinical study with test group (inhalation of 1% NCT) and a parallel control group (0.9% NaCl as placebo) was carried out in two Austrian centers. Among treated subjects the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was not reduced and blood analyses showed no abnormalities compared to the baseline values and to the control arm ( Nagl et al, 2018 ). Overall, there is no evidence of efficacy of NCT to clear the nasopharynx from SARS-CoV-2.…”

“…Tolerability was very good in the eye, skin, mucous membranes and paranasal sinuses. The ciliary beat frequency of epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa, a very sensitive parameter for toxicity, was decreased only moderately and reversibly by 1% NCT ( Nagl et al, 2018 ). A special field of application of NCT is inhalation for treatment of various infections.…”

Fungal Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Recent Progress and Future Research Agenda

“…Fungal diagnostic criteria in CF patients [6,9,12,13] 3. Antifungal therapy in CF patients [7,9,[14][15][16][17] 4. Aspergillus, Exophiala and Pneumocystis in CF patients [8][9][10][11] 5.…”

“…Hamprecht et al [16] conclude with a brief description of the current treatment options for ARAf. Nagl et al [17] describe the application of N-chlorotaurine (NCT) as a potent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compound that could be delivered safety via inhalation. The broad antifungal activity of NCT in vitro and in the milieu of CF mucus and its impact on attenuation of virulence augur well for its clinical application.…”

“…NCT safety profile has been confirmed with testing in pigs and mouse models as well as in the investigators themselves acting as human testers. A recently completed Phase I safety trial has not revealed any adverse effect in 24 human subjects although more extensive data analysis is pending [17].…”