New developments in chemotherapy for non-invasive fungal infections.
Dermatomycosis and subcutaneous mycosis comprise the non-invasive fungal infections commonly encountered in clinical practice around the world. The limited activity of early topical antifungal agents prompted the development of more effective systemic agents. While griseofulvin has been used for more than four decades, the use of early azoles, such as ketoconazole have resulted in better patient compliance and thus greater success. However, poor response and recurrence in dermatomycosis, as well as toxicity associated with ketoconazole therapy, has led to the search for newer antifungal agents and more effective treatment strategies. Terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole have the advantage of non-toxicity and a broad spectrum of activity. An overview of non-invasive fungal infections, antifungal agents in clinical use and recent developments in antifungal therapy is reviewed in this article.
Hossain
M A
MA
Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5028, USA.
Ghannoum
M A
MA
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans
D000935:Antifungal Agents