Abstract
A controlled double-blind multiclinic trial comparing the activity and tolerability of tolciclate and clotrimazole on skin candidiasis was carried out in twenty-seven dermatological departments throughout Italy. Two hundred and seventy-eight patients were admitted to the trial. Tolciclate and clotrimazole 1% cream and lotion were applied twice a day for a mean time of about 3 weeks.
Efficacy was evaluated weekly during the treatment both by clinical and mycological (culture) examinations.
Culture baseline findings were positive for Candida sp in about 72% of cases; C. albicans was the most frequent species (41·5%) but also C. krusei and C. stellatoidea were isolated in a high percentage of cases.
Tolciclate induced clinical cure or improvement in 89·7% of cases, mycological conversion in 73·6% with an overall efficacy (clinical + mycological) in 72·2%.
Clotrimazole gave comparable results with, respectively, 95·7% of clinical cure or improvement, 75·3% of culture conversion and 77·6% of overall efficacy.
The differences were small and statistically not significant. Tolerability was good and similar in both experimental groups.
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