FUNGAL AND PARASITIC SKIN INFESTATIONS - AN UPDATE IN TREATMENT

This review summarizes the information published in the past year on t he treatment of fungal and parasitic skin infestations. The literature on fungal skin infections has been dominated by reports defining the efficacy, frequency, duration, side effects and drug interactions as w ell as the costs of treatment for the superficial and deep dermatophyt oses. The main antifungal agents now under clinical investigation incl ude the newly developed drugs amorolfine, terbinafine, itraconazole, f luconazole, naftifine and saperconazole. There is also renewed interes t in older agents, re-defining their use and suitability with new info rmation relating to different methods of administration. Trials have i ncluded comparisons of different vehicles to maximize efficacy and min imize side effects, including systemic treatment with liposomal amphot ericin B. The search continues for the most effective therapy against the onychomycoses. From the wealth of publications in the past year, t his review concentrates on three areas of therapy for parasite skin in festations; the treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis; permethrin as a treatment for scabies; and pediculosis infestation and the use of ive rmectin in treating onchocerciais.