Comparison of 1% and 2.5% selenium sulfide in the treatment of tinea capitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an over-the-counter shampoo containing 1% selenium sulfide would have sporicidal activity equal to that of a 2.5% selenium sulfide prescription lotion in the adjunctive treatment of tinea capitis infection.


METHODS
Prospective randomized nonblinded clinical trial.


METHODS
Outpatient clinics and emergency department of a children's hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients between the ages of 1 and 15 years with culture-proved tinea capitis infection caused by Trichophyton tonsurans enrolled during a 14-month period.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion, 1% selenium sulfide shampoo, or a bland, nonmedicated shampoo with which they were instructed to shampoo twice weekly. All received 15 mg/kg per day of griseofulvin. Dermatophyte cultures of the affected area of each patient's scalp were obtained on enrollment and every 2 weeks until a negative culture was obtained from a previously infected area.


RESULTS
Survival data analysis demonstrated that both the 2.5% selenium sulfide and 1% selenium sulfide preparations were superior to the nonmedicated control shampoo in terms of the time required to eliminate shedding of viable spores. When compared with each other, there was no difference between the 2.5% selenium sulfide and 1% selenium sulfide preparations in time required to produce a negative culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Commercially available 1% selenium sulfide shampoo is an equally effective yet less expensive alternative sporicidal therapy in the adjunctive treatment of tinea capitis infection.
Givens
T G
TG
Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Ohio, USA.
Murray
M M
MM
Baker
R C
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000187:drug effects
D006203:Hair Preparations; D018036:Selenium Compounds; C025698:selenium disulfide