Antifungal Activity Of Nikkomycin Z Against Candida Auris

Background: Nikkomycin Z is a competitive inhibitor of chitin synthase-an enzyme needed for synthesis of the fungal cell wall. Nikkomycin Z shows promise as a treatment for coccidioidomycoses and mixed activity has been described against other fungi and yeast. To our knowledge, it has not previously been tested against the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris.Objectives: To determine the in vitro activity of nikkomycin Z against C. auris.Methods: Nikkomycin Z was tested by broth microdilution against a panel of 100 isolates of genetically diverse C. auris from around the world.Results: Nikkomycin Z showed mixed activity against the tested isolates, with an MIC range of 0.125 to >64 mg/L. The MIC50 and MIC90 were 2 and 32 mg/L, respectively.Conclusions: These findings suggest nikkomycin Z has in vitro activity against some, but not all isolates of C. auris.