Treatment of chromoblastomycosis with itraconazole

The results of long-term itraconazole therapy in 10 patients with active chromoblastomycosis due to F. pedrosoi were reported. Therapy consisted of 100 or 200 mg/day of itraconazole, the length of therapy depending on the patient's response (12 to 24 months). This new triazole proved effective in reducing the number, size, and severity of the lesions in nine of the patients. Those patients with minor involvement profited more from therapy and were cured; patients with moderate involvement achieved either minor or major improvement. In most cases, signs and symptoms began to improve after 6 months of therapy. Mycological tests (in which tissue samples were treated with potassium hydroxide and cultured) became negative in six patients, but the fungus was eradicated in only three patients. Itraconazole produced no side effects. In spite of the need for long-term therapy, this new azole derivative effectively controls the disease.