ABSTRACT
The azoles comprise a wide spectrum of antifungal drugs with varying activity and pharmacological properties. Some of the agents, in particular the older ones, can only be used topically and were mainly used against nail and skin infections, while others can be used as systemic drugs. Some can be used intravenously, but oral formulations exist as well. For therapeutical purposes, a distinction needs to be made between those that are primarily active against nonfilamentous fungi, e.g., Candida spp., and Cryptococcus spp. only, such as fluconazole, and azoles that are active against filamentous fungi. Within the group of filamentous fungi however, large differences are readily apparent. In addition, because of their growth characteristics, laboratory techniques differ between the two groups to determine activity of the drugs. In that respect, nonfilamentous fungi behave more like bacteria as will be explained below.
