Efficacious treatment of non-dermatophyte mould onychomycosis with topical amphotericin B.

BACKGROUND

Dermatophytes are the main cause of onychomycosis, but various non-dermatophyte moulds (NDMs) are often the infectious agents in abnormal nails. In particular, Fusarium spp. and other NDMs are mostly insensitive to standard onychomycosis treatment with topical agents as well as with oral terbinafine and itraconazole.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work is to report the efficacy of a topical amphotericin B solution on NDM onychomycosis in a series of 8 patients resistant to multiple conventional topical and systemic treatments.

METHODS

Treatment consisted in the application of an optimized amphotericin B solution once daily to the affected nails and surrounding tissue. No mechanical debridement or medications were allowed except for trimming excessively long nails or in some cases occasionally applying urea-based cream to soften thickened nail plates.

RESULTS

Onychomycosis was clinically cured in all patients after a 12-month treatment. Mycological cure was obtained in all but 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical amphotericin B is an efficacious, safe, cheap and easy-to-apply treatment which should be considered as first-line therapy for NDM onychomycosis.