Itraconazole in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris: comparison of two treatment schedules.

The efficacy and safety of two dos-ages of itraconazole in the treatment of tinea corporis or cruris were compared in a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial. Fifty-four patients received itraconazole 100 mg daily for 2 weeks and 60 received itraconazole 200 mg daily for 1 week. After a 6-week follow-up period, mycological cure was achieved in 70% of patients in the 100 mg/2 weeks group and in 60% of those in the 200 mg/1 week group (not significantly equivalent); in the worst-case and intention-to-treat analyses, mycological cure rates (45-49%) were borderline equivalent at the end of follow-up.

Pathogenetic studies in chronic urticaria. Failure to demonstrate vasculitis, complement activation and fibrinolysis.

To analyze the role of immune complexes, complement activation and fibrinolysis in chronic urticaria (CU), we performed serological, immunohistochemical and histopathological studies in 20 patients. In addition, the relationship to urticarial vasculitis was investigated. The results indicate that common CU is not associated with vasculitis.

The role of penicillin in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria.

Intracutaneous tests with penicilloyl-polylysine (PPL) and benzyl-penicillin G (PG) were performed in 245 patients suffering form chronic recurrent urticaria, including physical urticaria. Positive results were observed in fifty-nine patients (24%). Sera from fifty-seven of these fifty-nine patients were investigated for circulating anti-penicilloyl antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a passive haemagglutination test (HA).

Oral psoralen photochemotherapy of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands.

6 out of 9 patients with allergic contact dermatitis of the hands were successfully treated with oral methoxsalenultraviolet-A (PUVA) photochemotherapy. Clearing the dermatitis symptoms of the hands was achieved with an average of 23 treatments (150 J/cm2). To maintain the initial results a rather frequent maintenance treatment--usually once a week--was necessary.