EVALUATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS IN-VIVO OF TRIAZ(R) GEL (BENZOYL PEROXIDE SPECIAL GEL), CLEOCIN-T(R) LOTION (CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE LOTION), AND AZELEX(R) CREAM (AZELAIC ACID CREAM) IN HUMANS

This single-blind, 4-week study compared the in vivo antimicrobial eff icacy of three topical antimicrobial products used to treat acne: Tria z(R) 10% Gel (benzoyl peroxide special gel), Azelex(R) Cream (azelaic acid cream), and 2% Cleocin-T(R) Lotion (clindamycin phosphate lotion) . There were three parallel groups, each containing males and females with minimum baseline Propionibacterium acnes of 10 000 colony forming units per cm(2). Each product was applied twice daily for 4 weeks and P. acnes was sampled using the scrub procedures of Williamson and Kli gman on the forehead and both cheeks, at baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks . The results showed that Triaz Gel produced substantial and significa ntly superior reductions in P. acnes, compared with those produced by Cleocin-T Lotion and Azelex Cream as early as 2 weeks and continuing t hrough 4 weeks of treatment (P=<0.01). Further, while Triaz Gel and Cl eocin-T Lotion produced significant reductions in P. acnes compared wi th baseline after 2 and 4 weeks, Azelex Cream appeared to produce no r eduction in P. acnes at either time point.