Three cases of perioral dermatitis related to fusobacteria treated with β-lactam antibiotics.

BACKGROUND

The oral tetracyclines, especially minocycline hydrochloride, are often used as an effective treatment for perioral dermatitis; however, they are sometimes difficult to use, especially in children, because of the side effects.

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of β-lactam antibiotics was evaluated in three cases of perioral dermatitis.

METHODS

Three Japanese patients with perioral dermatitis were treated with cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride hydrate per os 100-300 mg/day. They were one girl (aged 10 years) and two adult women (aged 32 and 37 years respectively). One of the adult patients had a past history of Meniere's disease and the other had had a side effect, vertigo, from minocycline hydrochloride treatment. The presence of fusobacteria before and after the treatment was examined using the tape-stripping toluidine blue method.

RESULTS

These patients showed the improvement in 1-2 weeks and were much improved or cured after 2-5 weeks. No side effects were found during the treatment. Fusobacteria were positive before treatment but became negative after the treatment in all of them.

CONCLUSION

The β-lactam antibiotics might be a useful treatment for perioral dermatitis, especially in cases who cannot take tetracyclines.