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How does amphotericin B kill fungal cells?
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antimicrobial agent
Iodine, as in the form of Dobell's iodine solution, is an effective antimicrobial agent.
Amphotericin B is a polyene antibiotic that kills fungal cells by targeting their membrane integrity.12
The mechanism of action involves the following steps:
- Binding to Ergosterol: Amphotericin B binds to ergosterol, a steroid molecule that is a vital component of fungal cell membranes.12
- Pore Formation: This binding process causes the formation of channels or pores within the fungal membrane.12
- Cell Death: The creation of these pores disrupts the membrane's selective permeability, leading to the leakage of essential cytoplasmic components and ultimately resulting in the death of the fungal cell.12
Because human cell membranes contain cholesterol—which is structurally similar to ergosterol—amphotericin B can also interact with human cells, which is the primary cause of the drug's associated toxicity.1