Document Detail


Itraconazole is effective in the treatment of tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11841643     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Tinea capitis is a relatively common superficial fungal infection in children which requires oral antifungal therapy. In a prospective, open study over 24 weeks, itraconazole 5 mg/kg/day, given as capsules or as an oral suspension for a period of 2-12 weeks, was used to treat children 1-12 years of age who had M. canis tinea capitis. Children with mycologic evidence of M. canis tinea capitis were entered into the study and asked to return at week 2 and then every 2 weeks thereafter until cured, with a maximum of 12 weeks of active treatment. At each visit the scalp was sampled and the material processed for light microscopy and culture examination. An extra 2 weeks of itraconazole was prescribed if the mycology from the sample obtained on the previous visit indicated that there was still presence of the organism. Patients were administered either 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 weeks of treatment. The final follow-up visit was at 12 weeks from the cessation of drug therapy. Laboratory blood testing was performed only if indicated by history, examination, or the development of side effects. There were 107 patients (49 boys, 58 girls; mean +/- standard error =5.6 +/- 0.2 years). Thirteen of the 107 children were given the oral suspension. At week 12 from the cessation of treatment there was complete (clinical and mycologic) cure in all 107 children. Increasing age of the patient correlated significantly with the length of itraconazole capsule therapy (p=0.03). The duration of itraconazole treatment also correlated significantly with the severity of tinea capitis at baseline (p=0.02). Adverse effects were observed in 5 children receiving itraconazole capsules (n=94). These were regarded as being possibly or probably due to the drug in two children (mild transient stomach ache in one and moderate diarrhea in one). The child with diarrhea stopped therapy at week 4 with complete resolution of symptoms. One of 13 children receiving the oral suspension had mild, transient diarrhea. There were no drop-outs in this group. Laboratory testing was not required in any patient. Compliance was very good in the patient group. Itraconazole 5 mg/kg/day given either as a capsule or an oral suspension for 4-8 weeks is effective and safe in the treatment of tinea capitis caused by M. canis.
Authors:
A K Gupta; G Ginter
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pediatric dermatology     Volume:  18     ISSN:  0736-8046     ISO Abbreviation:  Pediatr Dermatol     Publication Date:    2001 Nov-Dec
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-02-13     Completed Date:  2002-03-13     Revised Date:  2009-03-03    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8406799     Medline TA:  Pediatr Dermatol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  519-22     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Center (Sunnybrook site), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. agupta@execulink.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Administration, Oral
Antifungal Agents / adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Child
Female
Humans
Itraconazole / adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Male
Microsporum*
Prospective Studies
Tinea Capitis / drug therapy*,  microbiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antifungal Agents; 84625-61-6/Itraconazole

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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