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Background & Objectives: Even though there are different treatments for patients with pityriasis versicolor, there are not enough information about using new topical systemic treatments. In this study, the effect of clotrimazole VS topical fluconazole in treating patients with pityriasis was investigated.
Methods: A double blind randomized controlled trial was designed in dermatologic clinic of 5th Azar hospital Gorgan North of Iran, from April 2006 to May 2007. 120 patients were randomly divided into two groups: In the first group (G1), patients underwent treatment with single - dose of fluconazole capsule (400mg) and placebo cream. In the second group (G2), patients underwent treatment with clotrimazole cream (twice daily) and placebo capsule. The course of treatment was 2 weeks. All subjects were re-evaluated 2, 4 and 12 weeks after the end of the therapeutic course.
Results: In group one there were 50 patients and in group two 55. After 2 weeks, the rate of complete resolution of disease was significantly higher in G2 group than G1 (49.1% vs. 30%). After 4 weeks, 41 patients (81.2%) of G1 and 52 patients (94.9%) of G2 showed complete resolution. After 12 weeks 46 patients (92%) in G1 group and 45 patients (81.8%) in G2 group showed complete resolution. Recurrence rate in G1 and G2 groups were 6% and 18.2%, respectively. No complications were seen in the two groups.
Conclusion: In this study, clinical response at 4th week, in clotrimazole group was greater than fluconazole group. Recurrence at 12th week after treatment with oral fluconazole was less than clotrimazole cream.

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  Background & objectives: Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common pathogenic causes of dermatophytosis. One of the drugs prescribed for fungal infections is fluconazole which belongs to Azoles group of antifungal agents. Recently molecular typing methods have been developed for answering the epidemiological questions and disease recurrence problems. Current study has been conducted on 22 isolates of Trichophyton rubrum obtained from patients randomly. Our aim was the investigation of correlation between genetic pattern and sensitivity to Fluconazole in clinical isolates of Trichophyton rubrum .

  Methods: Firstly the genus and species of isolated fungi from patients have been confirmed by macroscopic and microscopic methods. Then, the resistance and sensitivity of isolates against drug have been determined using culture medium containing defined amount of drug. In next step fungal DNA has been extracted by RAPD-PCR (random amplified polymorphic DNA) with random sequences of 3 primers.

  Results: Each primer produced different amplified pattern, and differences have been observed in genetic pattern of resistant and sensitive samples using each 3 primers, but there was no bond with 100% specificity.

  Conclusion: The 12 sensitive isolates which didn’t grow in 50µg/ml concentration of drug, also had limited growth at the lower concentration of drug. Ten resistant isolates which grew in 50µg/ml of drug, also showed resistant to lower concentration of drug. There are differences in genetic pattern of resistant and sensitive samples. RAPD analysis for molecular typing of Trichophyton rubrum seems to be completely suitable.