Zinc Pyrithione Improves the Antibacterial Activity of Silver Sulfadiazine Ointment

Abstract

Topical antimicrobial ointments ostensibly mitigate bacterial wound disease and reliance on systemic antibiotics. Yet studies have called into question the therapeutic benefits of several traditional topical antibacterials, accentuating the need for improved next-generation antimicrobial ointments. Yet the development of such agents consisting of a new chemical entity is a time-consuming and expensive proposition. Considering that drug combinations are a mainstay therapeutic strategy for the treatment of other therapeutic indications, one alternative approach is to improve the performance of conventional antimicrobial ointments by the addition of a well-characterized and FDA-approved agent. Here we report data that indicate that the antimicrobial properties of silver sulfadiazine ointments can be significantly improved by the addition of the antifungal zinc pyrithione, suggesting that such combinations may provide an improved therapeutic option for the topical treatment of wound infections.

A Drug Repositioning Approach Reveals that Streptococcus mutans Is Susceptible to a Diverse Range of Established Antimicrobials and Nonantibiotics

“…Zinc pyrithione is an antiseborrheic, often used in topical formulations, that has previously been shown to have bacteriostatic properties against streptococci and staphylococci, as well as broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against other Grampositive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi (37,38). The use of zinc pyrithione has been gaining momentum, as evidenced by recent reports of its activity against biofilms (39), aminoglycoside resistance (40), and clearance of bacteria from wound sites (37). Mechanistic studies revealed that membrane permeability is increased in zinc pyrithione-treated cells and may also mediate the influx of damaging metal ions into the cell (38,41).…”

Environmentally Friendly Water-Based Self-Crosslinking Acrylate Dispersion Containing Magnesium Nanoparticles and Their Films Exhibiting Antimicrobial Properties

“…The potential savings of the antimicrobial additive zinc pyrithione were examined within the range recommended for coatings [56,59] and below, i.e., at 0.1% to 0.3%. Table 11 indicates that the amount of additives in the LM latex (in contrast to L0) can be reduced by one-third or more without losing the microbicidal efficiency against the bacterial cultures tested.…”

In vitro efficacy of antifungal agents alone and in shampoo formulation against dandruff‐associated Malassezia spp. and Staphylococcus spp.

“…Ketoconazole and ciclopirox are the marketed active antifungal ingredients for the pharmaceutical shampoos Ketomed ® and Sebiprox ® respectively, which are prescribed for severe dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Although Malassezia fungi are the primary target in the over‐the‐counter anti‐dandruff shampoo Head and Shoulders ® (H&S), zinc pyrithione is also known to have broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity by inhibiting copper influx .…”