Methods and compositions for increasing the potency of antifungal agents

A method of increasing a sensitivity of a fungal pathogen to an antifungal agent, the method comprising:

• contacting the fungal pathogen on a surface susceptible to formation of a biofilm by the fungal pathogen with a phenyl ethanol as a sensitizing agent in combination with the antifungal agent in amounts to yield a synergistically antifungal effect on the surface,
• wherein the phenyl ethanol prevents formation of the biofilm by the fungal pathogen on the surface and increases the sensitivity of the fungal pathogen to the antifungal agent,
• wherein the phenyl ethanol is a phenyl ethanol structural derivative in Table 3 or is a structure of Formula I, wherein the structure of Formula I is:
• wherein X is selected from the group consisting of C, N, S and O;
• R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C2 to C6 alkenyl, substituted C2 to C6 alkenyl;
• aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, or aryloxy;
• and
• n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.