title: The advantages of topical combination therapy in the treatment of inflammatory dermatomycoses.
abstract: Dermatomycoses are contagious superficial fungal infections, which are highly prevalent in developed and developing countries. Caused by a range of Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton species, dermatomycoses manifest on glabrous skin as 'ringworm', an annular scaly lesion with a variable inflammatory component. Itch is the chief subjective symptom, particularly in tinea cruris. Unless lesions are extensive or resistant to local therapy, dermatomycoses of glabrous skin are treated with topical antifungal agents, such as imidazoles and allylamines. Studies show, however, that the addition of a topical corticosteroid to imidazole therapy increases the bioavailability and prolongs the activity of the antimycotic, while rapidly reducing inflammatory symptoms. Travocort is a combination of 1% isoconazole nitrate (ISN), a broad-spectrum imidazole with established antimicrobial activity and antimycotic efficacy, and 0.1% diflucortolone valerate (DFV), a potent topical corticosteroid with low systemic absorption and therefore a low risk of systemic glucocorticoid side-effects. In randomised, double-blind controlled clinical trials, Travocort therapy showed a more rapid onset of action, faster relief of itch and other inflammatory symptoms, improved overall therapeutic benefits and better mycological cure rate during the first 2 weeks of treatment compared with ISN monotherapy. Travocort is well tolerated and, because of prolonged ISN retention in the skin, provides antifungal protection against reinfection for some weeks after therapy.
authors.affiliation: Global Clinical Development, Intendis GmbH, Berlin, Germany. blanka.havlickova@intendis.com
authors.forename: Blanka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Havlickova
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004060:Diflucortolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008825:Miconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C013486:diflucortolone valerate; C020531:Travocort; D008825:Miconazole; C020382:isoconazole; D004060:Diflucortolone