Activity of SM-4470, a new imidazole derivative, against experimental fungal infections.

The antifungal activity of orally active SM-4470, (R)-3-(n-butylthio)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(imidazole-1-yl)-2-propanol hydrochloride, was compared with that of ketoconazole. SM-4470 showed twofold-higher activity than ketoconazole in the oral treatment of systemic infection with Candida albicans in mice. In addition, SM-4470 was effective against aspergillosis in mice, but ketoconazole was ineffective. The efficacy of SM-4470 was similar to that of ketoconazole in curing experimental candidal vaginitis in rats and trichophytosis in guinea pigs, although its serum concentrations in these animals were lower than those of ketoconazole. These data suggest that SM-4470 may be of value in the treatment of both systemic and superficial fungal infections in humans.