In vitro and in vivo efficacy of the antimycobacterial molecule SQ109 against the human pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection affecting individuals with compromised immunity, particularly those with HIV. The limited accessibility to effective treatments and treatment-related toxicities underline the need for more effective therapeutic options. In this study, we conducted a whole-cell screening of ~ 3,700 FDA-approved drugs and clinical molecules against the Cryptococcus neoformans H99 strain. The anti-mycobacterial agent SQ109 was identified as one of the most potent hits, with broad antifungal activity. SQ109 exhibited potent activity against Cryptococcus spp., with an MIC90 of 4 μg/mL. In the time-kill assay, SQ109 demonstrated a fungicidal activity on proliferating cryptococcal cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Unlike fluconazole (FLC) and flucytosin

SUBMITTER: Alkashef NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716712 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature