Antifungal properties of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors against Aspergillus species in vitro
Abstract
This study investigated the fungicidal activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) against clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus (n = 11), Aspergillus flavus (n = 9), Aspergillus terreus (n = 10) and Candida parapsilosis (ATCC 22019). The common drugs fluoxetine, seroxate, sertraline, paroxetine and reboxetine were applied in a broth microdilution test. In addition, we examined whether a post-antibiotic effect occurs following short exposure to the drugs. The various SSRIs showed time- and dose-dependent effects and were fungicidal towards the organisms tested. Sertraline and fluoxetine were the most active drugs, yet there were differences in the susceptibility of the various isolates tested. A lag of regrowth was dependent on the various SSRIs tested and their concentration. Treatment for 4 h at concentrations of sertraline below and equipotent to the minimal fungicidal concentration resulted in a lag of regrowth of 8-24 h for isolates of A. fumigatus and A. flavus. In conclusion, our in vitro studies clearly demonstrate antifungal effects of SSRIs. Animal studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of these psychotropic drugs in the management of fungal infections.
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On yeast, especially C. albicans, sertraline inhibits virulence factors such as hyphal formation and secretion of aspartyl proteinases, kills yeast, and inhibits biofilm formation.
“On yeast, and especially on C. albicans, it inhibits virulence factors such as hyphal formation and the secretion of aspartyl proteinases, kills yeast, and inhibits biofilm formation.”
From Antimicrobial Properties of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics—Possibilities and Implications (2021) · cites this paper as [50]
Sertraline works synergistically with fluconazole.
“Moreover, this drug works synergistically with fluconazole [50,51,58].”
From Antimicrobial Properties of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics—Possibilities and Implications (2021) · cites this paper as [50]
In women with premenstrual syndrome and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, no recurrent episodes of yeast infection were reported during sertraline cure.
“Indeed, in these patients during the cure, no recurrent episodes of yeast infection were reported [48,50].”
From Antimicrobial Properties of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics—Possibilities and Implications (2021) · cites this paper as [50]
Sertraline had positive effects in women suffering from premenstrual syndrome and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.
“Interestingly, sertraline had also positive effects in women suffering from premenstrual syndrome and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.”
From Antimicrobial Properties of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics—Possibilities and Implications (2021) · cites this paper as [50]
Fluoxetine is active against bacteria, fungi, and a virus.
“Fluoxetine, an SSRI, was found to be active against bacteria, fungi [50,56,64,67], and, interestingly, even a virus.”
From Antimicrobial Properties of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics—Possibilities and Implications (2021) · cites this paper as [50]
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References 16 · Cited by 92
- Authors
- Lass-Florl, C.
- Venue
- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2001-12-01
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 775-779
- ISSN
- 0305-7453 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2091
- OpenAlex
- W2131126475
- Cited by
- 92
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Antimicrobial agents and applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Keywords
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antifungal activity, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Candida parapsilosis, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, reboxetine, post-antibiotic effect, fungicidal activity, antifungal drug repurposing, psychotropic drugs
- MeSH terms
- Antifungal Agents, Aspergillus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Humans, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
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