Itraconazole Therapy for Recalcitrant Dermatophyte Infections

In 1988, a study involving five patients aged 44 to 62 with chronic Trichophyton rubrum infections resistant to standard treatments reported a prompt improvement after using itraconazole, a new oral antifungal medication. Within 1 month, patients showed marked improvement, and by 3 to 6 months, there was significant progress, although complete clearance of toenail infections was not achieved. Recurrences were noted in four patients within a year post-treatment. Itraconazole was well-tolerated without adverse effects. The study suggested itraconazole is effective for treating symptoms of stubborn dermatophyte infections, but its long-term safety and efficacy in preventing recurrence were not confirmed.