[Comparative double-blind evaluation of a new topical antibacterial agent, mupirocin, compared with placebo in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections].

Ninety-eight patients suffering from skin and soft tissue infections in the Côte d'Ivoire were treated topically with a new antibiotic, mupirocine, or with placebo in a double-blind study. Patients were allocated at random to receive one or other treatment, applying the ointment, supplied in identical tubes and of similar colour base, to the lesions 3 times a day for 5 days. Overall evaluation of clinical response to treatment showed that the results with mupirocine were significantly superior to those with placebo. No unwanted effects of treatment were observed in either treatment group.