Treatment of fungal esp. vaginal infections - by administering a chelating agent for zinc ions

摘要

A process is claimed for destroying fungi which require Zn for the secondary metabolic process necessary for their growth. The process comprises administering to infected mammals (esp. humans) an effective amt. of a cpd. (I) capable of chelating Zn ions at a concn. of >=3.5% and a pH of 4.5-10. A typical cpd. (I) is EDTA or its Na2Ca salt. The process is esp. useful for treating vaginal infections due to Candida albicans. Other susceptible fungi include Crytococcus neoformans, torulopsis spp, Candida tropicalis and Penicillium spp.