Twenty-two children aged 2 to 9 years with noninflammatory tinea capitis due to Microsporum canis were evaluated in an open clinical pilot study run from January 1994 to July 1995. Each child was given oral terbinafine according to body weight for 6 weeks. Mycologic evaluation was done at the end of treatment and after follow-up periods of 4 and 8 weeks. None of the patients achieved complete mycologic cure by the end of the treatment period. Four weeks later complete mycologic cure was established in nine patients, and on final evaluation in seven. The treatment was very well tolerated by all the children. No systemic adverse effects were noted. According to our data, a 6-week course of oral terbinafine is inadequate for tinea capitis due to M. canis in children. Further study is needed to determine the most appropriate duration of therapy.
In Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the incidence of Microsporum canis infection has been on a steep increase during the recent years. In some countries (Italy) and geographic areas (Slovenia), M. canis is the most often isolated dermatophyte. In Slovenia (Yugoslavia), a dramatic increase in the incidence of M. canis infection has been observed recently, both in absolute figures and as compared to the rest of isolated dermatophytes. M. canis is a cause of tinea most prevalent in children. All attempts made during the past 6 years to eliminate the natural source of infection, represented mainly by stray cats, have failed. M. canis infection is becoming a serious epidemiologic problem in Europe. For its solution, integrated efforts of medical and veterinary services, and probably more stringent rules and controls in this particular area, will be required.
Summary: The susceptibility of 28 strains of Microsporum canis to griseofulvin, to ketoconazole and to a combination of both antifungal drugs was determined. Griseofulvin proved to be more active than ketoconazole. The combination of both antifungal agents was found to exert an additive effect.
Zusammenfassung: Die Sensibilität von 28 Stämmen von Microsporum canis für Griseofulvin, Ketoconazol und für eine Kombination von beiden Antimykotika wurde bestimmt. Griseofulvin war aktiver als Ketoconazol. Die Kombination von beiden Antimykotika zeigte einen additiven Effekt.
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