Use of mupirocin ointment in the treatment of secondarily infected dermatoses

A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2% mupirocin ointment in the treatment of secondarily infected dermatoses. One hundred six patients were enrolled, 92 of whom were evaluable for efficacy. There was a significantly greater rate of eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and total pathogens in mupirocin-treated patients than in control subjects. Analysis of the clinical data relative to all pathogens showed a significant difference in skin infection evaluations performed at the interim and follow-up visits, which favored the mupirocin-treated groups. In those patients infected with S. aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, there was a significant difference at end-point that favored mupirocin in seven clinical ratings and the skin infection evaluation at follow-up. Mild local adverse effects were noted in a small percentage of patients in each group. Mupirocin appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of secondarily infected dermatoses, especially in those infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.