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The in Vitro Effect of Nanoliposomal Amphotericin B Against Rhizopus Arrhizus Isolated From Covid-19-Associated Mucormycosis Patients Publisher



Ahmadi A1, 2 ; Hashemi SJ1, 3 ; Rezayat SM4 ; Daieghazvini R1 ; Jaafari MR5, 6 ; Esmaeili J4 ; Saiedmohammadi F7 ; Afshari F8 ; Alcazarfuoli L9 ; Abdollahi A10 ; Khodavaisy S1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  6. 6. Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
  9. 9. Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
  10. 10. Department of Pathology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Pathology Published:2025


Abstract

Background & Objective: Rhizopus arrhizus, a major contributor to COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) globally. Nanoliposomal amphotericin B (NLAmB) presents a promising approach due to its enhanced drug delivery and reduced side effects. This study aimed to assess the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of NLAmB against R. arrhizus isolated from CAM patients. Methods: Thirty-nine R. arrhizus isolated from CAM patients were identified through phenotypic characterization, MALDI-TOF, and the internal transcribed spacer rDNA region (ITS) sequencing approaches. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) for NLAmB, amphotericin B (AmB), posaconazole (PSC), and isavuconazole (ISC) was conducted through broth microdilution methods according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) standard E.DEF 9.4. Results were analyzed for MIC ranges, MIC50, MIC90, and distributions. Results: NLAmB demonstrated superior in vitro efficacy against R. arrhizus (MIC50/90, 0.063/0.25 μg/ml) compared to AmB, PSC, and ISC. PSC exhibited notable activity (MIC range: ≤0.031-≥16 μg/ml). Conclusion: The study emphasized NLAmB's sustained activity, making it a potential alternative to LAmB. Further exploration and clinical correlation are warranted to validate NLAmB in CAM treatment. © 2025, Iranian Society of Pathology. All rights Reserved.