In vitro activity of terbinafine against clinical isolates of dermatophytes

A broth macrodilution method following the recommendations established by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards was employed for testing terbinafine against 20 clinical isolates of dermatophytes belonging to seven species. The minimal inhibitory concentrations resulting in either 80% or 100% inhibition of growth, compared to growth in drug-fi ee control tubes, ranged from less than or equal to 0.03 to 0.25 g ml(-1) and from less than or equal to 0.03 to 2.0 g ml(-1), respectively. Terbinafine was shown to be fungicidal at a concentration of less than or equal to 1.0 mu g ml(-1) for 19 isolates. No differences in susceptibilities were found between strains isolated from HIV-positive and -negative individuals.