title: [Short-course treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis: comparative study of fluconazole and intra-vaginal fenticonazole].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to compare the efficacy of fluconazole 150 mg and intra-vaginal fenticonazole 600mg in short-course treatment of the acute episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 80 patients with clinical and mycological (SavvyCheck™ test) confirmed VVC were enrolled and divided randomly in two groups. Forty patients received oral fluconazole (150 mg), whereas 40 patients received intra-vaginal tablet fenticonazole (600 mg). Two sequential doses of azole agents were given 3 days apart (short-course treatment). Second and third visits were done for all patients seven and 30±5 days after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the second visit, 31 patients (77.5%) were cured clinically (Sobel score <4) in fluconazole group and 32 patients (80%) in fenticonazole group (P=0.876). The vulvovaginal pruritus was reduced in lower time in fenticonazole patients than in fluconazole group (mean 2.3 days versus 4.5 days, P=0.047). At the third visit, three patients in fluconazole group and two patients in fenticonazole group had clinical sign of VVC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluconazole and intravaginal fenticonazole are both effective to cure symptoms of VVC but fenticonazole appears to reduce the pruritus in less time.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Patologia Vulvare, Ospedale Vittore Buzzi, Università di Milano, Milano, Italia. filippomurina@tin.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Graziottin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Francesco
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mantegazza
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D015725:Fluconazole; C033486:fenticonazole