Objective:To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of berberine against Talaromyces marneffei (TM) in yeast phase. Methods:There were 21 TM strains, including l standard strain (ATCC22019), 10 clinical isolates and 10 isolates from wild bamboo rats. TM strain suspensions at a concentration of (1 - 5) × 10 3 colony-forming units/ml were incubated in microdilution plates containing difierent concentrations of berberine, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B or caspofungin at 37 ℃ for 48 hours. Meanwhile, the wells containing only culture media and TM strains but without antifungal drugs served as the positive control group, and those containing only culture media served as the negative control group. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal drugs against TM yeasts were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution susceptibility method (M27-A3 document) . Results:The MICs of the above antifungal drugs were all within the reference ranges for the quality control strain (ATCC22019), and TM strains grew well in the positive control wells. The MIC ranges of berberine, itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin against TM strains were 32 - 64 mg/L, 0.06 - 0.125 mg/L, 0.06 - 0.125 mg/L, 1 - 2 mg/L and 16 - 32 mg/L respectively; the MIC range of fluconazole was 2 - 4 mg/L for non-resistant strains, and 128 mg/L for fluconazole-resistant clinical strains.Conclusion:Berberine exhibits antifungal activity against TM in yeast phase.

Objective To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of osthole against Talaromyces marneffei (TM) in yeast phase,in order to provide an experimental reference for the clinical treatment of TM infection with Chinese medicine.Methods There were 20 TM strains,including 1 standard strain,2 fluconazole-spontaneously resistant strains,11 clinical isolates,and 6 isolates from wild bamboo rats.A microdilution method was used to prepare 96-well antifungal sensitivity test plates containing osthole,fluconazole,amphotericin B,itraconazole and voriconazole at different concentrations,which were incubated with (1-5) × 103 CFU/ml of tested TM strain suspensions at 37 ℃ for 48 hours.Meanwhile,TM strains cultured in the media without antifungal drugs served as positive (growth) control group,and culture media served as negative group.The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal drugs against yeasts were determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution susceptibility method (M27-A2 Document).Fluconazole MIC was defined as the lowest drug concentration that resulted in ≥ 80％ growth inhibition,and MICs of other antifungal drugs were the lowest drug concentrations that resulted in 100％ growth inhibition,compared with growth control wells.Results The MICs among the quality control strains were all within the reference range,and TM grew well in the positive control wells.The MIC ranges of fluconazole,amphotericin B,itraconazole and voriconazole against TM strains were 2.0-8.0 mg/L,1.0-4.0 mg/L,0.03-0.25 mg/L and 0.06-0.25 mg/L respectively,and the MIC of fluconazole against fluconazole-spontaneously resistant strains was 128 mg/L.The MICs of osthole against the TM standard strain (FRR2161),fluconazole-spontaneously resistant strains and 1 isolate from wild bamboo rats were 16,32 and 128 mg/L respectively,and the MIC range of osthole against other 16 TM strains was 16-64 mg/L.The MICs of osthole at which 90％ and 50％ of the TM strains were inhibited were 64 and 32 mg/L respectively.Conclusion Osthole exhibits the antifungal activity against the yeast form of TM.

Talaromycosis marneffei has been increasing in recent years. Our understanding of this disease has gradually deepened through extensive basic and clinical research, but there are still many limitations. In this article, by incorporating the latest research advancements, we discuss important issues in managing Talaromycosis marneffei trends, aiming to guide effective prevention and control of the disease, improving public health, and reducing the healthcare burden.