Karaleen Anderson, Mariel Hatch, Caeleb Harris, Anastasiia Matkovska, Kendrick Kiggins, Levi Neely, Utah Valley University
Mucormycosis is a life-threatening disease that occurs in immunocompromised individuals, such as burn, cancer and diabetic patients. Amphotericin B is the current line of treatment for the disease, however it is known to have many adverse side effects including cell toxicity. Due to the high mortality and morbidity associated with the disease even when treated with Amphotericin B, it is vital that new combination therapeutic techniques be investigated in order to more effectively treat the disease. Mucromycosis is most often caused by a filamentous, opportunistic fungi called Rhizopus oryzae. This species causes up to 80% of infections and is the most common species isolated from confirmed Mucormycosis sites. Origanum vulgare (oregano) oil has been shown to have broad anti-microbial properties in various studies. This study investigates the ability of oregano oil to lower the concentration of Amphotericin B needed to successfully inhibit R. oryzae biofilms. Various concentrations of oregano oil and Amphotericin B are tested to determine the optimal concentration ratio that maximizes biofilm inhibition. Synergistic activity of oregano oil and Amp B could be used to decrease the amount of Amphotericin B needed to treat Mucormycosis infections while still utilizing the antifungal properties of Oregano oil.