Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHOD: A total of 16 black children, aged 3-6, all with proven tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, were treated daily for 8 weeks with 2% ketoconazole shampoo for a total of 56 treatments. Clinical and mycologic examinations were performed every 2 weeks and again at 4 weeks following treatment. The number of colonies were counted on each plate after each visit. Patients with positive cultures after 8 weeks were placed on oral griseofulvin; those with negative cultures were followed monthly by culture for an additional 12 months. RESULTS: Marked clinical improvement occurred in all patients within 2 weeks and absence of pruritus was noted by the patients as early as 2-6 days. After 8 weeks of shampoo, 14 of the 15 (93%) children were clinically healed. Mycologically, the cultures dropped from a confluent growth of T. tonsurans to less than 100 colonies within 2 weeks; fewer than 50 at week 4 and 20 colonies or fewer after week 6. At 8 weeks of treatment the number of colonies remained at 20 or fewer. Six of the 15 children (40%) had negative cultures after 2, 4, and 6 weeks. One child relapsed at the first 4-week follow-up visit. Five of 15 (33%) of the children remained culturally negative for 12 months post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo alone reduces the number of viable arthroconidia in children with tinea capitis thus reducing the transmissibility and contagious nature of the disease. Unexpectedly, complete cure was obtained in 5/15 (33%) of the children. The children remained clinically and mycologically clear as long as one year after treatment.
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Authors | D L Greer |
Journal | International journal of dermatology
(Int J Dermatol)
Vol. 39
Issue 4
Pg. 302-4
(Apr 2000)
ISSN: 0011-9059 [Print] England |
PMID | 10809984
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antifungal Agents
- Hair Preparations
- Ketoconazole
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Topics |
- Administration, Topical
- Antifungal Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Hair Preparations
- Humans
- Ketoconazole
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Tinea Capitis
(drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)
- Treatment Outcome
- Trichophyton
(isolation & purification)
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