Evaluation of fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole activity on Candida albicans: A case control study

BACKGROUND: Azole antifungals are the most commonly used antifungals. The high use of azoles for long-term therapy and prophylaxis is prone to cause resistance. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the antifungal activity against Candida albicans. OBJECTIVES: Analyzing the comparison of antifungal exposure on the time-kill curve to Candida albicans. METHOD: A case-control study was conducted with a posttest control group design. This study used Candida albicans clinical and ATCC isolates exposed to antifungal solutions with 1 ×, 4 ×, and 16 × minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Antibiotics used included fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole. Candida albicans isolates were incubated with MIC, and the number of colonies was counted at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. The number of colonies that grew every hour of observation was included in the time-kill curve. The data were then analyzed using an ANOVA test with p <0.05. RESULTS: The antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole) showed fungistatic activity against Candida albicans clinical and ATCC isolates. There was a significant comparison between the antifungal group and the control group at 12, 24, and 48 h. The most significant difference between antifungal and control group was found at 24 h where fluconazole had 95% CI = 0.807–2.061 (p <0.001), itraconazole 95% CI = 0.722–1.976 (p <0.001), and voriconazole CI 95% = 0.807–2.062 (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole were effective in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans. Maximum inhibition in vitro occurs after 12 h of antifungal exposure.