Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (Aug 2012)

In vitro synergism of simvastatin and fluconazole against Candida species

  • Everardo Albuquerque Menezes,
  • Antônio Alexandre de Vasconcelos Júnior,
  • Carlla Lorena Façanha Silva,
  • Fábio Ximenes Plutarco,
  • Maria da Conceição dos Santos Oliveira Cunha,
  • Francisco Afrânio Cunha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652012000400003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 54, no. 4
pp. 197 – 199

Abstract

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Systemic fungal infections are responsible for high mortality rates. Several species of fungi may be involved, but Candida spp. is the most prevalent. Simvastatin is used to lower cholesterol and also exhibits antifungal action. The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic action of simvastatin with fluconazole against strains of Candida spp. Susceptibility testing was performed according to protocol M27-A3, by broth microdilution method and the synergistic effect of simvastatin and fluconazole was calculated based on FICI (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index). Eleven strains were evaluated, and simvastatin showed a synergistic effect with fluconazole against 10 (91%) of the Candida spp. strains tested. Simvastatin may be a valuable drug in the treatment of systemic infections caused by Candida spp.

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