Publication:

Therapeutic efficacy of topical luliconazole versus topical ketoconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor patients: a hospital based comparative study

Background To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 1% topical luliconazole versus 2% topical ketoconazole in pityriasis versicolor patients.

Methods Mycological examination of all the pityriasis versicolor patient was done by using skin scrapings were collected from the skin lesions to prepare for 10% KOH mount, which was examined under the microscope to note the findings as KOH mount positive or negative for Malassezia fungi. KOH mount positive or negative was noted at 0 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks continued treatments with luliconazole and ketoconazole.

Results At the first days, majorities of patients 46 (92%) of luliconazole group were positive for KOH mount. At 14 days treatment with luliconazole, patients had 11 (22%) positive for KOH mount. At the 28 days treatment with luliconazole, only 2 (4%) patients were positive and most of the patients 49 (98%) were negative for KOH mount. Similarly, in ketoconazole group patients, 47 (94%) patients were positive for KOH mount in beginning of treatment. At 14 days treatment with ketoconazole 16 (32%) patients were positive and 34 (68%) patients were negative for KOH mount. And at the 28 days with treatment of ketoconazole 13 (26%) patients were positive and most of the patients 37 (74%) were negative for ketoconazole.

Conclusions Male population as well as age 26-35 years were more prone for pityriasis versicolor infection. On two weeks of treatment luliconazole and ketoconazole had near about similar efficacy against pityriasis versicolor. But, on continue 4 weeks of treatment regimens topical luliconazole had more clinically efficacious than ketoconazole against pityriasis versicolor.