Effectiveness and safety of topical amphotericin B in 30% dimethyl sulfoxide cream versus 30% dimethyl sulfoxide cream for nondermatophyte onychomycosis treatment: A pilot study

Background: Although topical amphotericin B cream is effective for the treatment of nondermatophyte mold onychomycosis in vitro, studies of its effectiveness and safety in vivo are limited. Objectives: We studied the effectiveness and safety of topical 0.3% amphotericin B in 30% dimethyl sulfoxide cream (amphotericin B cream) in nondermatophyte mold onychomycosis using the vehicle cream 30% dimethyl sulfoxide cream as control. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted between January 2019 and November 2020. Patients diagnosed with nondermatophyte mold onychomycosis were randomly divided into two groups of ten patients each: one treated with amphotericin B cream and the other with the vehicle cream. Clinical and mycological cure as well as safety were evaluated. Results: Ten patients each treated with amphotericin B cream and the vehicle cream were included in the study, but only nine patients in the vehicle cream group were available for follow up. All the 19 evaluable patients had distal lateral subungual onychomycosis and the great toenails were affected in 18 (94.7%) of these. Mycological cure was achieved in 8 (80%) patients treated with amphotericin B cream and in 4 (44.4%) patients using the control (vehicle) cream. Clinical cure was achieved in 7 (70%) patients treated with amphotericin B cream, but only in 2 (22.2%) patients on the control cream. No adverse events were observed. Limitations: The small sample size and the fact that PCR fungal identification that provides accurate identification of fungal species was not performed are limitations of our study. Conclusion: Topical amphotericin B cream was both very effective and safe in the treatment nondermatophyte mold onychomycosis. The control (vehicle) cream containing 30% dimethyl sulfoxide also demonstrated some antifungal activity

Predictors of serological cure after treatment in patients with early syphilis: A retrospective observational study in Thailand

Background: Some patients with early syphilis who receive appropriate treatment do not reach a serological cure and have a persistent titer which does not meet the criteria for treatment failure (serofast state). Aims: This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological cure and the serofast state as well as the factors associated with serological cure after treatment of patients with early syphilis. Methods: A serological cure was defined as occurring when there was a ≥4-fold decrease in nontreponemal titer, whereas patients with a ≥4-fold increase were considered as having either a treatment failure or reinfection. Nontreponemal titers that neither increased nor decreased ≥4-fold after treatment were considered to be in a serofast state. Seroreversion was defined as occurring when there was a negative test within 12 months of treatment. Results: There were 179 patients with a mean age of 31.9 years; 174 (97.2%) were men, and 125 (70%) were HIV patients. Of the total, 174 (98%; 95% confidence interval 94.82–99.42%) patients achieved a serological cure, whereas five were in a serofast state 12 months after treatment. Those five serofast patients were all HIV-positive men, of which 4 (80%) had secondary-stage syphilis, a CD4 count ≤200 cells/μl and a titer <1:8. In a bivariate analysis, a serological cure was associated with a baseline Venereal Disease Research Laboratory >1:16 titers (P = 0.018), and a CD4 cell count >200 cells/μl in 6 months preceding treatment (P = 0.016). The median time to a serological cure was 96 days. Only 22 (12.3%) of the patients achieved seroreversion at 12 months after treatment. Limitations: A retrospective medical record review is likely to have a selection bias, and in our study, 196 (52%) patients were excluded due to missing information. Conclusions: Most patients with early syphilis who achieved a serological cure at 12 months after treatment had high baseline Venereal Disease Research Laboratory titers and CD4 cell counts. However, only 22 (12.3%) had a negative Venereal Disease Research Laboratory titer after 1 year of treatment.

Onychomycosis: A study of self-recognition by patients and quality of life.

Background: Onychomycosis accounts for approximately half of all nail disorders and is usually asymptomatic. Objectives: To evaluate patients’ recognition of fungal nail disease, concomitant fungal skin diseases, complications, and quality of life. Methods: Patients from the fungal nail clinic were enrolled between May 2011 and April 2012. Patients’ awareness of diseased nails was evaluated and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was used to evaluate the impact of dermatologic disease on quality of life. Results: A total of 110 patients with onychomycosis were enrolled in the study, of which 64 (58.2%) were female and the mean age was 60.8 years. The number of patients who were able to recognize the presence of onychomycosis was 71 (64.5%), while 32 (29.1%) and 7 (6.4%) were diagnosed by a dermatologist and other physicians, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patient recognition of the disease was signifi cantly associated with female sex and young age. The mean DLQI score was 3.6. Limitation: Patient recall bias including the duration of fungal nail infection, long-term past history and previous treatment was a limitation of this study that affected DLQI scores. Conclusion: About half of onychomycosis patients, especially elderly males, could not recognize the disease by themselves. It is important for physicians to educate patients with risk factors for onychomycosis to recognize this condition early to prevent concomitant infection and complications, and to improve patients’ well-being.

Eosinophilic fasciitis: A case report and literature review.

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare scleroderma-like syndrome. There has been no previous published report of EF in a Thai patient. We described a 41 year-old Thai man who presented with symmetric induration of the skin of forearms, arms, hands, fingers, lower aspects of the legs, and feet. Physical examination revealed bilateral symmetrical woody induration of the skin with peau d’orange appearance. A groove sign was positive on the flexural surface of both arms. Laboratory testing revealed a peripheral eosinophil count of 54%. The skin and superficial fascia biopsy specimen from the inner aspect of the left forearm was consistent with EF. He was treated with prednisolone, methotrexate, and colchicine. He experienced a gradual improvement within 4 months. A history of acute onset of scleroderma-like syndrome and careful physical examination can lead us to the diagnosis of EF.