[Experience in the treatment of skin mycoses with ciclopirox olamine]

Ciclopirox olamine cream 1%, a new antifungal agent has been studied in 30 patients with dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor. Diagnosis of dermatophytosis was confirmed by microscopic examination of KOH preparations and culture in Sabouraud medium. Pityriasis versicolor was diagnosed by direct exam preparation. Cultures and direct exam preparations were performed before starting treatment and weekly thereafter. Cultures and KOH preparations were positive in all patients. Treatment with ciclopirox olamine cream 1% was applied topically twice daily. Direct examination and cultures were negative in 26 cases (86.6%) after one week treatment and in 4 cases (13.4%) after two weeks. A parallel improvement in clinical signs and symptoms was evident with disappearance of erythema, pruritus and scaling. Clinical cure was achieved in most all cases (96.7%), between the third and fourth week of treatment.