Viability of pathogenic dermatophytes during a 4-week treatment with 1% topical luliconazole for tinea pedis

Abstract

The viability of pathogenic fungi in the scale was investigated during topical administration of 1% luliconazole (LLCZ). Thirteen tinea pedis patients found to be positive on KOH examination were assessed by mycological examinations and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeted internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in ribosomal RNA gene at the initial visit and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Assays showed that the average copy number of ITS DNA had significantly decreased to 22.9% at 2 weeks and 4.8% at 4 weeks compared with the initial visit. LLCZ topical treatment could defeat almost pathogenic dermatophytes in the scales within 4 weeks.

Keywords: dermatophyte; luliconazole; quantitative real-time PCR; tinea pedis; viability.

Figure 1.

ITS DNA amount after 1% topical LLCZ treatment. Patients were treated with 1% topical LLCZ for 4 weeks. The amount of ITS DNA in scales was measured at 0, 2, and 4 weeks by qPCR, and calculated relative to the initial visit (100%). Each bar represents the mean ± standard deviation of duplicate samples with results analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA with Tukey–Kramer post hoc analysis. **P < .01. n = 12 at initial visit and 2 weeks, and n = 10 at 4 weeks.