Method for treating fungal infections using cell lytic enzymes

Abstract

The present invention encompasses a method for treating fungal infections in animals comprising administering to animals in need of antifungal treatment an effective amount of fungal cell lytic enzymes extracted from Coprinus, Lycoperdon, or Bolbitius in conjunction with conventional antimycotic agents such as amphotericin B or Nystatin. The fungal cell lytic enzymes are extracted from Coprinus, Lycoperdon, and Bolbitius by conventional enzyme isolation techniques. These fungal cell lytic enzymes retain their activity in vivo, are relatively non toxic and destroy fungi by degrading fungal cell walls and weakening the fungal cell walls so that conventional antimycotic agents are far more effective. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in treating infections by opportunistic fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.