J. Decroix

Double-blind Comparison of Itraconazole With Griseofulvin in the Treatment of Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris

Seventy‐eight patients with tinea corporis or tinea cruris participated in a double‐blind study with either 100 mg itraconazole or 500 mg ultramicromized griseofulvin for 15 consicutive days. Clinical outcome was significantly in favor of itraconazole at completion of treatment (72% responce rate vs. 51%) and at the follow‐up visit(91% response vs. 64%). The most important difference berween both treatment was the mycologic outcome, for which itraconazole showed a cure rate oc 87% compared to 57% for griseofulvin 2 weeks after comparison of therapy. It is suggested that 100 mg of itraconazole orally daily is significantly more effective than 500 mg of griseofulvin once daily for 15 days in the treatment of glabrous skin infections. Both drugs were well tolerated.

A Prospective Multicenter Study of the Efficacy and Tolerability of Cryopreserved Allogenic Human Keratinocytes to Treat Venous Leg Ulcers

Allogeneic human keratinocyte cultures have been used to treat burn wounds, donor sites, and chronic skin ulcers with some success. Cryopreservation of these cultures allows for the production of large standardized batches that are readily available for use. The aim of the study presented in this report was to study effects of cryopreserved cultured allogenic human keratinocytes (Cryo Ceal) on chronic lower extremity wounds. Parameters were measured to study efficacy, tolerability, pain associated with chronic wounds, and quality of life of patients. Twenty-seven patients with hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers received a maximum of 9 applications of Cryo Ceal in a prospective, uncontrolled multicenter study lasting 48 weeks. Eleven out of 27 patients (41%; 95% CI: 22%-61%) had complete wound closure within 24 weeks (1 week). The time required for complete wound closure in these 11 patients ranged from 4.1 to 24.9weeks. Only 1 patient had recurrence of the ulcer at 48 weeks. Local (wound) pain scores decreased from a mean of 2.5 at baseline to 0.9 at week 24. Fifty percent of the patients attained a pain score of 0 after 12 weeks and remained stable at this score until the end of the study. Overall, the patient quality of life was better at week 24, compared to baseline values. The treatment was well tolerated, and wound infection was the most frequently occurring adverse event.

Desloratadine 5 mg once daily improves the quality of life of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

Background  Chronic urticaria is known to debilitate a persons quality of life via sleep disruption, itching lesions, fatigue, social isolation, energy loss and emotional/sexual difficulties. Once‐daily desloratadine significantly improved the signs and symptoms of CIU.

Imidazoles and benzoyl peroxide: a comparative trial of two treatment schedules

A double-blind, split-face, self-controlled pilot trial was designed for comparing the therapeutical effect of (a) combination of 2% miconazole nitrate and 5% benzoyl peroxide applied twice daily and (b) topical application of 1% isoconazole nitrate in the morning followed in the evening by 5% benzoyl peroxide. There were no clinically relevant differences between both treatment regimes. These results are interpreted in terms of bioavailability of the active substances.

Balanite circonscrite chronique

Report of a case with benign chronic plasmocytic balanitis. The differences between this disease and the erythroplasia of Queyrat are stressed.