Candida vaginitis model

Objective: To study the interaction of antifungal drugs in topical therapy. Materials and methods: Local therapy of Candida vaginitis with drugs alone and in combination was examined in a murine model. Zeamatin, a natural plant-derived antifungal protein, was tested alone and in combination with an azole, clotrimazole or nikkomycin Z, a chitin synthase inhibitor. Results: Whereas alone, zeamatin was ineffective, nikkomycin Z was effective only when dosed multiple times per day, and clotrimazole efficacy was variable when administered in experi-mental vehicles (unlike the complex and undefined commercial preparation), zeamatin enhanced the efficacy of either of the other two drugs when they were given in combination. Conclusion: Drug interactions between novel drugs with unique mechanisms of action should be explored further, and may lead to more potent regimens