TREATMENT OF CUTANEOUS SPOROTRICHOSIS WITH ONE DAILY DOSE OF POTASSIUM-IODIDE

Background. Recommended treatment for cutaneous sporotrichosis consist s of a saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) administered in t hree daily doses (tid). Because compliance with this regimen has been a problem in our previous experience, we evaluated the use of one dail y (qd) full dose of SSKI. Methods. patients with culture-confirmed cut aneous sporotrichosis were entered in a randomized, nonblinded study t o compare the safety and efficacy of qd vs. tid dosage of SSKI. Result s. Fifty-seven patients were enrolled to receive either qd (29) or tid (28) SSKI. Three (1 in the qd and 2 in the tid group) were not compli ant with the assigned regimen. Side effects were common but mild in bo th treatment groups (61% in the qd and 42% in the tid group, P = 0.17) ; treatment had to be discontinued because of side effects in 3 cases (2 in the qd and 1 the tid group). Overall 26 (89.6%) and 25 (89.2%) o f the individuals initially assigned to the qd and tid dosing schedule , respectively, were cured by the treatment. No relapse was detected a fter 45 days of follow-up. Conclusion. These findings suggest that a s ingle daily full dose of SSKI appears to be appropriate therapy for cu taneous sporotrichosis; further studies with larger numbers of patient s are required.