Microsporum canis infections in children: results of a new oral antifungal therapy.

Clinical and laboratory data from 22 children with tinea corporis and tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis (10 tinea corporis, 12 tinea capitis), confirmed by microscopic examination and culture and partly pretreated with griseofulvin or terbinafine, are summarized. The children were treated consecutively with itraconazole in our clinic during 1994/95. The age of the children ranged between 4 and 13 years, with girls being affected much more frequently than boys. Oral, individually adapted, high-dose treatment of 5 mg itraconazole per kg body weight proved to be successful. In all 22 children, although pretreatment with griseofulvin or terbinafine was partly unsuccessful, fungal infections could be cured clinically and also were culture negative at control examinations. In 10 children with tinea corporis treatment was performed only for 4-14 (middle 11) days. In the children with tinea capitis itraconazole treatment was continued for 3-11 weeks. Among the six children without pretreatment, itraconazole solution was administered for 4-11 weeks (average 7.5 weeks). Of the patients in whom pretreatment was unsuccessful, four with griseofulvin and two with terbinafine, the duration of the subsequent oral treatment with itraconazole solution was 3-5 weeks (average 3.6 weeks). The drug seemed to be well tolerated-no significant side-effects occurred, with the exception of possible minor gastrointestinal disturbances in two patients. Laboratory values remained within normal limits.