MODERN TOPICAL GLUCOCORTICOIDS AND ANTI-INFECTIVES FOR SUPERINFECTED ATOPIC ECZEMA - DO PREDNICARBATE AND DIDECYLDIMETHYLAMMONIUMCHLORIDE FORM A RATIONAL COMBINATION

The addition of an anti-infective to a topical glucocorticoid preparat ion for superinfected atopic eczema is still controversial. To address this question in the context of the topical glucocorticoids of the no n-halogenated double-ester type 0.25% prednicarbate cream was compared to the identical preparation incorporating the same amount of the dis infectant didecyldimethylammoniumchloride in patients suffering from a topic eczema carrying Staphylococcus aureus at a density of more than 10(6) colony-forming units per cm(2). One of the preparations was used twice daily over 5 days according to a random plan in a blind fashion . Thereafter treatment was based on either prednicarbate cream or the corresponding vehicle according to clinical needs. Clinical and microb iological evaluation were scheduled for days 0, 6 and 34. Various clin ical parameters were addressed individually as well as over all improv ement using scores. A total of 143 patients was recruited. The patient s of both groups improved rapidly with respect to clinical and microbi ological findings. Essentially, there was no difference between the gr oups. Hence, the addition of an anti-infective to a topical prednicarb ate preparation is not to be generally recommended.