Disseminated candidiasis with extensive folliculitis in abusers of brown Iranian heroin.

Two cases of heroin abusers who developed disseminated candidiasis are reported. Cultures of skin lesions revealed Candida albicans, which on histology were shown to be located in and around hair shafts. Both patients recovered after treatment with amphotericin B combined with 5-fluorocytosine and either ketoconazole or dexamethasone. This unusual cutaneous syndrome of candidal infection associated with extensive folliculitis seems to be related to the use of a particular type of heroin, the so-called brown Iranian heroin.

[Sphenoid sinusitis and panhypopituitarism]. / Sinusite sphénoïdale et panhypopituitarisme.

The case is reported of a patient who presented with panhypopituitarism simultaneously with sphenoid sinusitis due to Aspergillus fumigatus. Despite the absence of radiologically demonstrable suprasellar or intrasellar lesions, and without visible bone destruction, the authors conclude on the possibility of a pituitary lesion by contiguity. The pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.

Double-blind comparison of the efficacy, toleration and safety of tioconazole base 1% and econazole nitrate 1% creams in the treatment of patients with fungal infections of the skin or erythrasma.

A total of 61 patients with proven fungal infection of the skin or with erythrasma took part in a double-blind comparison of the efficacy, toleration and safety of tioconazole base 1% w/w and econazole nitrate 1% creams applied twice daily. Some patients had more than one site of infection and some were infected with more than one fungal/bacterial species. The mean duration of treatment in the tioconazole group of patients was 40 days (range: 12-68) and in the econazole group 38 days (range: 17-101). Clinical and mycologic cure was achieved in 27 of 29 (93.1%) tioconazole-treated and 29 of 31 (93.5%) econazole-treated patients. All but 1 of the cured patients in each treatment group were seen some 6 weeks after the end of treatment; all remained clinically and mycologically cured. Both creams were found to be generally acceptable in terms of ease of application. Some staining was reported in both treatment groups. One side effect of mild intermittent pruritus was reported in an econazole-treated patient. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined.

[Mixed dermatophytic infection of the hairy scalp]. / Infection dermatophytique mixte du cuir chevelu.

A mixed infection induced by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton tonsurans has been observed on the scalp of a 10-year-old girl. Microscopy has shown microsporum-type endo-ectothrix parasitism on some hairs, whereas others exhibited a strictly trichophyton-type endothrix parasitism. This double parasitism was confirmed histologically (PAS coloration), and M. canis and T. tonsurans could be cultured. The infection was eradicated after 5 weeks of treatment with griseofulvin (750 mg/day per os) and local application of 1% Econazol spray solution twice a day.

[Microsporous infection of the scalp in an adult (author's transl)]. / Infection microsporique du cuir chevelu chez un adulte.

Infection of the scalp in an elderly woman due to Microsporum canis (zoophilic, long-lived fungus) after repeated direct contact with infected cats. We think that the infection could occur because of an age-induced decrease in some of the organic functions which govern the healing process of microsporous infections during puberty.

Follow-up study after more than one year including 100 patients treated for superficial mycoses.

A total of 100 patients with dermatomycoses were treated with econazole nitrate 1% or with the same compound combined with triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%. The patients were supposed to undergo clinical and mycological follow-up examinations at an average of 15 months after cure had been obtained. Of the 100 patients, 83 were followed up: 78 (95%) reported neither relapses nor reinfections; 4 (5%) presented with clinical symptoms and positive mycological examination and in 1 patient the mycological examination was positive but no clinical symptoms were present. Generally speaking, the results can be considered excellent.