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 fungi.

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 microscopic 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.