Viability of pathogenic dermatophytes during a 4-week treatment with 1% topical luliconazole for tinea pedis

The viability of pathogenic fungi in the scale was investigated during topical administration of 1% luliconazole (LLCZ). Thirteen tinea pedis patients found to be positive on KOH examination were assessed by mycological examinations and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeted internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in ribosomal RNA gene at the initial visit and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Assays showed that the average copy number of ITS DNA had significantly decreased to 22.9% at 2 weeks and 4.8% at 4 weeks compared with the initial visit. LLCZ topical treatment could defeat almost pathogenic dermatophytes in the scales within 4 weeks.