ABSTRACT
The clinical outcome and the effects on morphogenesis and cell ultrastructure induced by a 1% ciclopiroxolamine solution in six patients with proven pityriasis versicolor were studied. Treatment regimens consisting of a once-daily application for 1 day, 2 days (Days 1 and 4) or 3 days (Days 1, 4 and 8). Clinical evaluation, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed on skin scrapings before treatment, and at 3, 7, 15 and 21 days after the start of therapy. SEM techniques have shown severe changes in the surface ultrastructure of yeasts and hyphae of Pityrosporum spp. (Malassezia furfur) 15 days after the start of therapy. TEM techniques showed extensive internal disruption, mainly severe necrosis of the cytoplasm, 3 and 7 days after the start of treatment. However, KOH direct microscopy showed apparently normal morphology of Pityrosporum spp. (Malassezia furfur) at all assessment points. The final clinical cure in all the patients was achieved 21 days after the start of therapy.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Malassezia/ultrastructure , Pyridones/therapeutic use , Tinea Versicolor/drug therapy , Ciclopirox , Double-Blind Method , Drug Administration Schedule , Humans , Malassezia/drug effects , Microscopy, Electron , Skin/ultrastructureABSTRACT
The prevalence rate of protecting antibodies against rubella was evaluated in a representative sample of the urban population of the Baix Camp (Tarragona) in a prospective study carried out from 1985 to 1987. In the study population there were 44.1% of males, with ages ranging from 1 to over 65 years. There was a past history of the disease in 11% of individuals, and 6.3% had been vaccinated; 82.7% had neither past history nor had been vaccinated. It was concluded that 89.62% of the surveyed population was immunologically protected against rubella.
