Treatment of Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis with Ketoconazole

Abstract

Twelve patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis were assigned by random allocation to a 6 mo. course of treatment with ketoconazole or placebo in a double-blind trial. All 6 recipients of ketoconazole had remission of symptoms and virtually complete regression of mucosal, skin and nail lesions, whereas only 2 of the 6 receiving placebo had even temporary mucosal clearing, and none had improvement of skin or nail disease. The clinical outcome in the ketoconazole-treated group was significantly more favorable (P .**GRAPHIC**. 0.001) than in the placebo-treated group. The 6 patients receiving placebo in the controlled trial were then treated with ketoconazole in an open trial, and all responded favorably. Hepatitis, probably drug induced, developed in 1 patient after 6 mo. of treatment but proved to be mild and reversible. Oral ketoconazole is an effective treatment for chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.