Klin Farmakol Farm. 2008;22(2):72-80

Current therapy of skin and mucosal mycoses

Vladimír Buchta, et. al

Ústav klinické mikrobiologie FN a LF UK Hradec Králové

Superficial fungal infections are common, particularly dermatophytoses, onychomycoses, and vulvovaginal Candida infections. Most of these mycoses are treated with topical antimycotic drugs unless the infection involves an extensive area or is resistant to initial therapy. The use of griseofulvin is limited to a few indications (tinea capitis in children), ketoconazole is replaced by other triazole drugs with a better pharmacological profile (no risk of idiopathic hepatitis) in most indications. Onychomycosis – one of the most difficult-to-treat dermatomycosis largely requires systemic therapy with terbinafine or itraconazole which can be combined with topical drugs such as amorolfine and ciclopirox olamine. Fluconazole is a drug of choice in the majority of cases of oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal infections caused by Candida albicans and other susceptible yeasts. The therapeutic regimen of refractory mucosal mycoses should be modified in terms of dosage, duration of therapy, and choice of an adequate antifungal drug according to etiological agents and/or immune status of the patient. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of currently available therapeutic options for the treatment of common skin and mucosal fungal infections.

Keywords: Key words: therapy, fungi, skin infections, onychomycosis, antifungals, therapy, dermatophytes, yeasts.

Published: January 1, 2009  Show citation