A Clinical Analysis of 133 Cases of Pitted Keratolysis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pitted keratolysis (PK) is an acquired, chronic, usually asymptomatic, non-inflammatory, superficial bacterial infection of the stratum corneum of the soles. Corynebacterium species are thought to be the causative organisms of PK. This condition is common in feet of active people wearing sweaty shoes, namely, athletes and soldiers. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations of pitted keratolysis. METHODS: A total of 133 Korean male soldiers diagnosed with PK (aged between 19 and 33, mean 21.9 years) were included in this study. All patients were investigated between April 2004 and May 2005. Factors investigated included age, location, duration, date of visit, physical examination, subjective symptoms, associated medical conditions, and treatment modalities. All patients were examined carefully to verify accompanying erythrasma or trichomycosis axillaris (TMA). RESULTS: About half of the patients visited our department in spring (March, April, and May). However, PK was found in all the seasons. The ball of the foot was the most frequently involved site (92.5%). The big toe (72.2%) was also a frequent site of involvement. Forty-five patients (41.7%) had coexistent erythrasma, 22 (20.4%) had TMA, and 14 (13.0%) had a simultaneous presence of both erythrasma and TMA. Hyperhidrosis (98.5%) and foul odor (95.5%) were the main complaints in most of the patients. Other symptoms associated with PK were sliminess (38.3%), burning (23.3%), itching (18.8%), and prickling (13.5%) sensations. Various treatment modalities such as topical antibiotics, topical antifungal agents, and oral erythromycin have been used. All lesions subsided within 1 month after treatment. Although recurrence rate was high (64.3%), parameters such as period of prevalence, size and shape of the lesion, and treatment modality were not associated with the recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: The present study provides basic clinical information on PK, which is a common condition of the feet of Korean male soldiers.

Study of Causative Organisms in Pitted Keratolysis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Pitted keratolysis is a superficial bacterial infection which usually affects the pressure bearing areas of the feet. Some bacterial organisms were identified as etiologic agents, including Corynebacterium species, Micrococcus species and Dermatophilus congolensis. However, in Korea, studies to prove the causative organisms have not been performed. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to identify causative organisms of pitted keratolysis in Korea. METHOD: Twelve normal healthy men and 27 pitted keratolysis patients were enrolled. We cultured the scraped specimens of the stratum corneum and identified the cultured organisms. We compared the cultured organisms of pitted keratolysis group with those of control group. We also compared the distribution of cultured organisms in pitted keratolysis with and without tinea pedis. RESULT: Micrococcus species and Corynebacterium species were identified in pitted keratolysis group much more frequently than in normal control group. In most cases of pitted keratolysis combined with tinea pedis, the identified organisms were Micrococcus species. CONCLUSION: Micrococcus species and Corynebacterium species are thought to be the major causative organisms of pitted keratolysis in Korea. Micrococcus species might play a certain antagonistic role, especially in patients of pitted keratolysis with tinea pedis.

Comparative Study of Benzoyl Peroxide Versus Clindamycin Phosphate in Treatment of Pitted Keratolysis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Pitted keratolysis (PK) is a bacterial infection of the stratum corneum. The infection is characterized by 1 to 7 mm discrete and coalescing craterlike pits on the plantar surfaces of the feet and toes, especially the weight-bearing areas. Topically applied antibiotics such as clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide erythromycin, and clotrimazole are curative. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to compare treatment efficacy of benzoyl peroxide (BP) and clindamycin phosphate (CP) in PK. METHOD: The clinical study was made in 44 patients with PK. Among 44 patients, 17 patients were treated by BP topical application alone, 15 patients treated by CP. And the others by combined topical application of BP and CP. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the treatment efficacy between BP and CP, and between monotherapy and combination therapy, neither. 1) Gender ratio showed extreme male predominance (M: F = 43: 1), and the mean age of onset was 22 years old. 2) Mean disease duration was 2.8 months and mean period for complete cure was 2.6 weeks. And there was no significant relation between disease duration and mean period for complete cure. 3) Hyperhidrosis (18.1%) was the most commonly associated condition with PK. The followings were Tinea pedis (13.6%), T. cruris (6.8%), erythrasma (6.8%), cellulitis (6.8%), osmidrosis (6.8%), wart (6.8%), and corn (6.8%) in the order of frequency. 4) There was no statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy between BP and CP (p> 0.05). 5) Among 44 patients, irritation was observed in 4 cases (9.1%). Two cases were related with BP, and the others with CP. But these adverse effects were trivial and disappeared soon. 6) Four cases (9.1%) showed recurrence within 3 month-follow up. And they were all related with hyperhidrosis. There was no statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate between BP and CP, although patients treated with CP showed slightly higher recurrence rate (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that no significant difference in the treatment efficacy between benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin phosphate, and between monotherapy and combined therapy, neither. Therefore, combination therapy should be spared for only intractable PK.