Effectiveness of diphenyl diselenide against experimental sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis

Lay Summary We evaluated the activity of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)(2), alone and in association with itraconazole, in the treatment of sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis, in a murine model. This is the first demonstration of the potential use of (PhSe)(2), alone or in an association against sporotrichosis. Diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)(2) is a stable organoselenium compound with promising in vitro antifungal activity against several fungi, including Sporothrix brasiliensis. This species is associated with feline and zoonotic sporotrichosis, an emergent mycosis in Latin America. We evaluated the activity of (PhSe)(2), alone and in association with itraconazole, in the treatment of sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis, in a murine model. Sixty mice were subcutaneously infected with S. brasiliensis in the footpad and treated by gavage for 30 consecutive days. The six treatment groups received: no active treatment, itraconazole (50 mg/kg), (PhSe)(2) at 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg dosages, or itraconazole (50 mg/kg) + (PhSe)(2) 1 mg/kg, once a day, starting seven days post-inoculation. A significant reduction in the fungal burden of internal organs was achieved in the groups treated with (PhSe)(2) 1 mg/kg or itraconazole alone in comparison with the untreated group. Higher dosages (5 and 10 mg/kg) of (PhSe)(2) increased the clinical manifestation of sporotrichosis and mortality rate. Treatment with both itraconazole and (PhSe)(2) 1 mg/kg was better than their activities alone (P < .001). This is the first demonstration of the potential use of (PhSe)(2), alone or with the present drug of choice, in the treatment of sporotrichosis.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the potential use of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)(2) in the treatment of sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis. PhSe(2) showed antifungal activity against Sporothrix brasiliensis and when used in combination with itraconazole, it enhanced the treatment effect.