Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces nodosus and is used mainly for the treatment of severe, life-threatening fungal infections. It acts by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, forming pores that increase membrane permeability and cause cell death. Because of its significant toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity, it is reserved for serious systemic mycoses such as systemic candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and mucormycosis. It is also used in visceral leishmaniasis and as empirical therapy in immunocompromised patients with suspected invasive fungal infections.
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