ZONE OF INHIBITION AND MINIMUM INHIBITORY CONCENTRATION OF TERBINAFINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND FLUCONAZOLE IN SINGLES AND ADMIXTURES AGAINST DERMATOPYTES ISOLATED FROM KAURA NAMODA ZAMFARA STATE. NIGERIA

ABSTRACTDermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, which remain a significant public health concern in Nigeria due to poor hygiene, climatic conditions, and limited access to antifungal drugs. This study investigated the fungicidal activities of Terbinafine hydrochloride and fluconazole in singles and in admixtures, against dermatophytes isolated from clinical samples in Kaura Namoda. Standard microbiological techniques were employed for isolation and identification of the dermatophytes. Kirby Bauer disc diffusion test was employed for the antifungal susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method to study the activity of the antifungal drugs singly and in sub - inhibitory concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration in admixtures was also studied. The results showed that out of 200 dermatophytic samples taken from patients attending general hospital Kaura Namoda, Trichophyton mentagrophytes had the highest percentage frequency distribution of 67 (33.5%), while Microsporum canis had the least percentage frequency of 19 (9.5%). The result of zone of inhibition in singles displayed that Terbinafine hydrochloride had a highest zone of inhibition at 28mm while Fluconazole had a lower zone of 22mm. The result of combined zone of inhibition displayed that 100µl fixed concentration of terbinafine hydrochloride mixed with 500µl of Fluconazole gave a wider inhibition zone of 38mm. The result of minimum inhibitory concentration in admixtures displayed highly synergistic at 0.03µg/ml. In conclusion, Fluconazole when used alone showed reduced activity suggesting emerging resistance, however, this study established that the combination of Fluconazole and Terbinafine hydrochloride remains the most potent in the treatment of dermatophytes isolated from Kaura Namoda. This study highlights the need for routine antifungal susceptibility testing before drug administration. These findings provide valuable data for dermatophytosis management and antifungal stewardship in Nigeria. KEYWORDS: Dermatophytes, zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration, admixtures, Terbinafine hydrochloride, synergistic,