In vitro evaluation of nanosecond electroporation against Trichophyton rubrum with or without antifungal drugs and terpenes

Increasing antimicrobial resistance among dermatophytes signals a need for development of new alternative therapeutic approaches for control of fungi. In this work, we analyse the antifungal activity of terpenes (linalool and y-terpene) and nanosecond electroporation. Square wave 100, 500 ns and 1 μs pulses have been evaluated in the study. Combinatorial treatments with antifungal drugs (terbinafine and itraconazole) and microsecond range (100 μs) electroporation were applied as references. We have determined that pulsed electric fields up to 30 kVcm−1 could be successfully used to inactivate T. rubrum both alone and in combination with antifungals. The applied nanosecond protocols reduced the survival of fungi up to 70%, while microsecond range protocols completely inactivated fungal colonies.