Skip to main content
Log in

Inhibition of in vitro germination and spherulation ofCoccidioides immitis byAllium sativum

  • Published:
Current Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An aqueous extract of a dehydrated garlic preparation with uniform consistency inhibited all eight clinical isolates of the dimorphic fungus,Coccidioides immitis. The inhibitory and lethic concentrations were in the range of 3.12–6.25 mg/ml for both the saprophytic (mold) and parasitic (spherule) forms ofC. immitis. At 6.25-mg/ml concentration, the organism lost its viability within 6 h. The conversion of arthroconidia into spherules in a chemically defined liquid medium was prevented by garlic extract diluted to 1:320 (3.12 mg/ml). The data indicate that components of garlic readily inhibited the in vitro germination and spherulation of this medically important dimorphic fungus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  1. Abrams, DI, Robia, M, Blumenfeld W, Simonson J, Cohen MB, Hadley WK (1984) Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in AIDS. N Engl J Med 310:986–987

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Adetumbi MA, Javor GT, Lau BHS (1985) Anticandidal activity of garlic: effect on macromolecular syntheses. Abstr Annu Meet Am Soc for Microbiol, p 368

  3. Adetumbi MA, Lau BHS (1983)Allium sativum (garlic): a natural antibiotic. Med Hypotheses 12:227–237

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Amer M, Taha M, Tosson Z (1980) The effect of aqueous garlic extract on the growth of dermatophytes. Int J Dermatol 19:285–287.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Appleton JA, Tansey, MR (1975) Inhibition of growth of zoopathogenic fungi by garlic extract. Mycologia 67:882–885.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Converse JL (1956) Effect of physio-chemical environment on spherulation ofCoccidioides immitis in a chemically defined medium. J Bacteriol 72:784–792

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Fliermans CB (1973) Inhibition ofHistoplasma capsulatum by garlic. Mycopathologia 50:227–231

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fromtling RA, Bulmer GS (1978) In vitro effect of aqueous extract of garlic (Allium sativum) on the growth and viability ofCryptococcus neoformans. Mycologia 70:397–405

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Human Medical College China (1980) Garlic in cryptococcal meningitis: a preliminary report of 21 cases. Chin Med J 93:123–126

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lau BHS, Adetumbi MA, Sanchez A (1983)Allium sativum (garlic) and atherosclerosis: a review. Nutr Res 3:119–128.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Lau BHS, Keeler WH, Adetumbi MA (1983) Antifungal effects ofAllium sativum (garlic). Abstr Annu Meet Am Soc Microbiol, p 387

  12. Prasad G, Sharma VD (1980). Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) treatment against experimental candidiasis in chicks. Br Vet J 136:448–451

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Roberts JA, Counts JM, Crecelius HG (1970) Productions in vitro ofCoccidioides immitis spherules and endospores as a diagnostic aid. Am Rev Respir Dis 102:811–813

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Tansey MR, Appleton JA (1975) Inhibition of fungal growth by garlic extract. Mycologia 67:409–413

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Tutakne MA, Satyanarayanan G, Bhardwaj JR, Sethi OC (1983). Sporotrichosis treated with garlic juice, a case report. Indian J Dermatol 28:39–44

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adetumbi, M.A., Lau, B.H.S. Inhibition of in vitro germination and spherulation ofCoccidioides immitis byAllium sativum . Current Microbiology 13, 73–76 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568284

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568284

Keywords

Navigation