This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of
sisomicin cream (0.1%) or
mupirocin ointment (2%) in the treatment of primary or secondary
pyodermas requiring topical
antibiotic therapy alone. In the evaluable patients (n=290),
impetigo was the commonest clinical condition reported. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pathogen isolated from the lesions. Both
sisomicin and
mupirocin treatments produced a steady improvement in the scores of
erythema, oedema, vesiculation, pustulation, crusting and scaling but the improvement produced by
sisomicin was quicker and more pronounced. The percentage of patients with complete clearing of all lesions was also higher with
sisomicin than with
mupirocin on days 4, 8 and 14. Patients subjectively rated the
sisomicin formulation as excellent in 75% of cases as against 59% with
mupirocin.
Sisomicin and
mupirocin are effective and safe in the management of
pyodermas; however
sisomicin therapy resulted in faster and greater relief of signs and symptoms.