Susceptibility of Candida albicans isolates to Terbinafine and Ketoconazole

The prevalence of drug resistance has become an important issue in various yeast infections, which have a significant effects on both human animal health. In this study, an attempt has been made to determine susceptibility pattern of two antifungal agents Terbinafine and Ketoconazole against 45 oral and non oral Candida albicans isolates using broth microdilution method. Under in vitro conditions, results showed that (42/45) 93% of the C. albicans isolates had MIC values indicating susceptibility to Ketoconazole (≤0.125 μg/ml) and MICs ranged from ≤0.03125-8.0 μg/ml. According to Terbinafine, (40/45) 88.9% of isolates had MICs less than 4 μg/ml and MICs ranged from 0.25-8.0 μg/ml. This is the first report of in vitro antifungal susceptibility data to be published from Palestine against clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Availability of sensitive and highly accurate antifungal susceptibility testing methods, can permit analysis of data in vitro and with outcome in vivo, important to assist physician for making appropriate drug choices and patient management decision. These data indicated that Terbinafine and Ketoconazole are still active against C. albicans and may therefore have clinical applications against some of these organisms.