Efficacy of nitric oxide-liberating cream on pityriasis versicolor.

BACKGROUND

Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection of the skin caused by Malassezia yeasts. Tinea versicolor is a common disease and has a high rate of recurrence.

METHODS

This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Faghihi Hospital Dermatology Department. Participants were older than 10 years with a clinical diagnosis of tinea versicolor and positive KOH preparation, and were divided in two groups: active and control (32 individuals in each). They were randomized to receive either nitric oxide (NO)-liberating cream as the active group and placebo as a control. Creams were applied twice daily on the affected sites for 10 days.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients were entered into the study (31 male and 33 female). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of severity, age and sex distribution. There was significant improvement with acidified nitrite cream in the active group after 10 days (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

NO is an important cytotoxic effector in immune defense against fungi that are too large to phagocyte. This study shows the efficacy of an exogenous NO-releasing cream in treating tinea versicolor.