TOENAIL ONYCHOMYCOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ACQUIRED-IMMUNE-DEFICIENCY-SYNDROME - TREATMENT WITH TERBINAFINE

Skin infections caused by dermatophytes are one of the most frequent d ermatological complications in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) resulting from infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tinea unguium associated with AIDS is characterized by be ing clinically more aggressive and therapeutically more difficult to t reat than in the general population. Terbinafine is considered to be a first-choice option for the treatment of dermatophyte onychomycosis i n immunocompetent individuals, This drug has been used in a series of 21 HIV-positive patients diagnosed with tinea unguium for 1 year in th e University Hospital La Pat, Madrid, All patients underwent a subsequ ent clinical follow-up for 6 months. The results showed a high percent age of clinical and mycological cures, as well as maintenance of the r esponse after follow-up; no drug interactions or significant adverse e ffects related to the drug under study were recorded.