In vitro activities of eight antifungal drugs against 70 clinical and environmental isolates of Alternaria species

Sir,

Melanized fungi of the order Pleosporales are emerging as causing opportunistic, cutaneous infections in immunocompromised patients mostly resulting from traumatic inoculation of contaminated plant debris. Among the most common aetiological agents of skin disease in the latter disorder are species of the genus Alternaria.1 Disseminated infection is uncommon but increasing, particularly among severely immunocompromised individuals.2 Recommendations for therapy are based on case reports and small in vitro studies. New antifungal agents with a better activity may help to improve the management of these infections. We aimed at evaluating the in vitro susceptibility of a collection of Alternaria spp. to amphotericin B, five triazoles and two echinocandins. [...]