Efficacy of topical forms of sertaconazole in treatment of mycoses of skin

Published research results indicate the high effectiveness of sertaconazole in the treatment of mycoses of the skin. According to a number of studies, it is superior to other antifungal agents in terms of cure rate and speed of action, and also has anti-inflammatory and antipruritic activity. Material and methods. The aim of the observational study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Zalain cream (sertaconazole 2%) in patients with mycosis of the smooth skin of the groin area. We observed 21 patients (13 men and 8 women) aged from 37 to 72 years with a verified diagnosis of mycosis of smooth skin, confirmed by microscopic and cultural methods. In patients, during a cultural study, a mixed fungal-bacterial infection was isolated in various combinations: 14 (66.7%) – Trichophyton rubrum and Staphylococcus, 7 (33.3%) – Candida albicans and Staphylococcus. Of the concomitant pathologies, the following diseases were most often diagnosed: hypertension (52.4%), obesity (BMI > 30) (47.6%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (42.9%), gastrointestinal diseases (23.8%), diseases of the hepatobiliary system (19.1%). The effectiveness was assessed taking into account the VAS index (erythema, infiltration, desquamation, cracks, itching, burning) and special methods (microscopic and cultural) of the study at control points B1 (before therapy) and B2 (after 4 weeks of therapy). Long-term results of observations (disease relapse) were assessed after 6 months. Results. The total VAS at control point B 2 decreased by 94.9% (p < 0.01). After therapy (4 weeks), in 18 (85.7%) patients, pathogenic fungi (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale) were not sown during cultural examination. Patients with no laboratory cure were recommended to continue therapy with sertaconazole for 2–4 weeks until complete eradication of pathogenic fungi. Long-term results of observations (6 months) showed relapse of the disease in 28.6% of patients with concomitant metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Also, among patients with relapses, males predominated – 66.7%. Conclusions. Sertaconazole has a wide spectrum of antimycotic activity, which makes it possible to quickly achieve clinical and mycological recovery in patients with mycosis of smooth skin in the groin area.