Efficacy of topical terbinafine and clotrimazole in the treatment of dermatophytoses: a Clinical and Microbiological Comparision
Abstract
Background: Dermatophytoses have a high prevalence worldwide and also
in Nepal. Large scale studies with different antifungal agents for long fol-
low up periods to assess the long term outcome of treatments together with
culture sensitivity testing are required to confirm the elimination of the fun-
gi. Materials and Methods: Total of 97 patients were enrolled, 48 patients
received treatment with terbinafine 1% cream for 2 weeks and 49 patients
received clotrimazole 1% cream for 4 weeks. Clinical evaluation and micro-
scopic examination of the potassium hydroxide(KOH) mount were done at
presentation, at week 2 and at week 4. Clinical assessment scoring(CAS) and
Mycological cure rate were compared between the study groups. Results :
Terbinafine cured more cases of dermatophytoses compared to clotrimazole.
The clinical cure rate was not statistically different among cases of tinea
pedis. Terbinafine was better among cases of tinea cruris and tinea corporis
only at the end of week 4. Mycological cure rate was higher for terbinafine
both at the end of week 2 and week 4.