Comparison of the Effects of Voriconazole and its Nanogel form on Aspergillus Flavus Isolates in Vitro

Abstract

Aspergillus species are one of the most critical environmental fungi and are considered as a severe factor in causing hospital infections of foreign origin. Objective: Aspergillus flavus is a saprophytic and pathogenic fungus and is found all over the world. In clinical isolates, the voriconazole drug effectively affects more than 95% of Aspergillus isolates. These common drugs have limitations for maximum effect in patients, so nanomedicines are designed and manufactured for more effective therapeutic purposes and less toxicity. This study compares the medicinal effects of Voriconazole and its nanogel form on Aspergillus flavus isolates. Materials and Methods: A drug sensitivity test was performed by broth microdilution method based on CLSI- M38A on 30 isolates of Aspergillus flavus for two medicinal forms of Voriconazole. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of voriconazole nanomedicine, such as size, zeta potential, and the amount of loaded drug, were measured. Results: The MIC value for the usual form of Voriconazole was 0.25-4 μg/ml, which, compared to the reference isolate, 93% of Aspergillus isolates (28 cases) were in the reference range. Also, the MIC obtained for the nanogel form of Voriconazole was 0.0625-1 μg/ml, compared to the total isolate of 100% isolates (30 cases) within the reference range. The particle size, zeta potential, and the amount of loaded drug were 25.87±177 nm, 2.48±30.8 µV, and 4.30±93.67%, respectively.