Old and new therapies for sporotrichosis

Clin Infect Dis. 1995 Oct;21(4):981-5. doi: 10.1093/clinids/21.4.981.

Abstract

The old therapies for sporotrichosis--saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) and amphotericin B--have largely been supplanted by itraconazole treatment. Although SSKI is effective for the treatment of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, it is difficult to administer and is frequently associated with side effects; response rates of >90% are associated with itraconazole therapy for lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. Patients with osteoarticular sporotrichosis rarely have systemic symptoms and can be effectively treated with a prolonged course of itraconazole, thus obviating the need for intravenous amphotericin B therapy with its associated toxic effects. Pulmonary sporotrichosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus continue to be difficult therapeutic problems, but itraconazole appears to be at least as effective as amphotericin B as treatment for these forms of sporotrichosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azoles / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Potassium Iodide / therapeutic use
  • Sporotrichosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Azoles
  • Potassium Iodide
  • Itraconazole
  • Amphotericin B