Voriconazole in Dermatophytic Infections: An In-depth Examination of Its Role in Tinea Treatment

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of voriconazole in treating dermatophytosis, specifically tinea corporis and tinea cruris, in patients resistant to conventional antifungal treatments. The primary objective was to assess the clinical and mycological cure rates, safety, and potential impact of comorbidities on treatment outcomes.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from June 2021 to June 2022, involving 150 patients with dermatophytosis who had failed previous treatments. Data were collected from medical records, and patients were treated with voriconazole 200 mg twice daily for a duration of 12 weeks. Follow-up visits were conducted at 2, 4, and 12 weeks.

Results: The clinical cure rate was 70%, with 50% of patients achieving mycological cure. Male patients showed a higher rate of complete resolution (45%) compared to females (40%), with a p-value of 0.003. Comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension significantly impacted treatment outcomes, with patients without comorbidities achieving 50% complete resolution, compared to 30% and 35% in diabetic and hypertensive patients, respectively, with a p-value of 0.042. Adverse effects were reported in 25% of patients, including visual disturbances (10%), headaches (8%), and skin rashes (7%).

Conclusion: Voriconazole is an effective treatment for dermatophytosis, especially in patients resistant to conventional antifungals. The study highlights the influence of gender and comorbidity status on treatment outcomes and suggests further research to optimize treatment regimens.