In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Plain Socks and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Coated Socks.

BACKGROUND: Fungal foot infection is a common superficial fungal infection and is recognized as an important public health problem. Related to the wearing of occlusive footwear, foot infection is usually caused by dermatophytes and nondermatophyte molds. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have antimicrobial activity against fungi. This study, therefore, evaluated the ability of socks coated with ZnO-NPs to inhibit fungal growth in an in vitro model mimicking real-life situations. METHODS: Scale from patients with fungal foot infections was equally divided into three groups: control, plain socks, and ZnO-NP socks. The specimens in the control group were routinely fungal cultured, whereas in the plain sock and ZnO-NP sock groups, scale was incubated with plain socks and ZnO-NP socks, respectively, for 24 hours. After incubation, each piece of sock was cultured. The fungal culture results of the three groups were progressively evaluated for 4 weeks. RESULTS: From 31 specimens, the positive fungal culture results of the control, plain sock, and ZnO-NP sock groups were 100%, 64.5%, and 54.8%, respectively. Specimens incubated with plain socks (P = .001) or with ZnO-NP socks (P < .001) had a significant reduction in the number of positive fungal cultures compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: Plain socks and ZnO-NP socks significantly inhibited fungal growth relative to the control. The wearing of either plain socks or ZnO-NP socks can prevent fungal foot infection because these socks act as a barrier to the insoles of shoes.

Efficacy of a Newly Developed Inward Airflow Safety Cabinet to Prevent the Spread of Infected Nail Dust Particles During Mechanical Nail Reduction in Onychomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Nail thickening is a poor prognostic factor in onychomycosis. Mechanical reduction by micromotor nail grinding is an alternative treatment for onychomycosis. However, this treatment introduces a large amount of infected nail dust particles into the air and can adversely affect other patients and health-care providers. The innovative recirculating airflow safety cabinet (ASC) was developed to prevent the spread of these generated infected nail dust particles. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the ASC in patients with onychomycosis or traumatic onychodystrophy. METHODS: The ASC was used during the nail-grinding process in 50 patients, including 36 onychomycosis patients and 14 traumatic onychodystrophy patients. For each patient, five Sabouraud dextrose agar plates with chloramphenicol were positioned within the working space of the ASC, and the other five plates were positioned near the area of air exit after the carbon filters within the cabinet. A total of 500 plates were incubated at 25°C and evaluated every 7 days. The results of fungal cultures were analyzed. RESULTS: In the traumatic onychodystrophy group, all fungal cultures of nail dust particles from both before and after filtration from the ASC were negative in all 14 patients. In the onychomycosis group, 52 fungal cultures (28.9%) from nail particles within the ASC working area tested positive; however, the results of fungal cultures of nail dust particles after filtration were all negative. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed ASC was found to be effective for preventing the spread of infected nail dust particles generated by micromotor nail grinding to mechanically reduce nail thickness in patients with onychomycosis.

A randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of adsorbent lotion containing tapioca starch, spent grain wax, Butyrospermum parkii extract, argania spinosa kernel oil, aloe barbadensis, rosehip oil, and allantoin with a low-potency topical corticosteroid in the treatment of intertrigo.

BACKGROUND: Intertrigo is an inflammatory skin-fold condition. Candida infections may occur concurrently or afterward. Topical corticosteroids may reduce inflammation but exacerbate Candida infections. The treatment is contentious. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacies and safety of adsorbent lotion containing tapioca starch, spent grain wax, Butyrospermum parkii extract, argania spinosa kernel oil, aloe barbadensis, rosehip oil, and allantoin for the treatment of mild-to-moderate intertrigo, relative to 1% hydrocortisone cream. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded study enrolled 40 intertrigo patients. Twice daily, 20 patients applied adsorbent lotion while the remainder used 1% hydrocortisone cream. Efficacy evaluation, skin biophysical measurements, skin tolerability, safety, and visual analog scale (VAS) patient-satisfaction scores were evaluated at baseline and Week 2. RESULTS: The adsorbent lotion showed higher complete cure rates for color, partial epidermal loss, papules/pustules/vesicles/patches, dryness, and scaling than the corticosteroid without statistical significance. Adsorbent lotion demonstrated significantly higher reduction in pruritus than the corticosteroid treatment. Reduction of erythema level using Mexameter and VAS patient-satisfaction scores were not statistically different between adsorbent lotion and hydrocortisone cream. No adverse effects or superimposed infections were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory efficacies of adsorbent lotion and low-potency steroid were equivalent. The lotion was safe and produced excellent pruritus reduction. Patient satisfaction was high.

Predisposing factors, clinical features and treatment outcomes of Fusarium onychomycosis and comparison of its characteristics with Neoscytalidium onychomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Fusarium spp. are common organisms causing onychomycosis. Research on the clinical presentations and treatment of this condition is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the demographic data, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of Fusarium onychomycosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand. Patients with onychomycosis, at least 2 repeated positive mycological cultures for Fusarium spp., and a photo at diagnosis (January 2014-December 2019) were included. Demographic data and clinical characteristics of Fusarium onychomycosis were analyzed and compared with those of Neoscytalidium onychomycosis, the other common nondermatophytes onychomycosis in tropical countries. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with twenty-four nails were analyzed. Fusarium onychomycosis was significantly related to a history of pedicure (p = 0.04). Predominant lateral involvements of subungual hyperkeratosis onychomycosis, but without concurrent foot infections, were significantly found in Fusarium onychomycosis (p < 0.001 for each). Among the treatments, urea was 80% effective. Topical amphotericin B was 75% effective. Both amorolfine 5% nail lacquer and long-pulsed 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser were 66.7% effective. Lastly a combination of long-pulsed 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and amorolfine 5% nail lacquer was 50% effective. CONCLUSIONS: Important predisposing factors and clinical manifestations of Fusarium onychomycosis were a history of pedicure and predominant lateral-nail involvement, but no concomitant fungal foot infections. Topical treatment (urea cream, amphotericin B, or amorolfine nail lacquer) showed excellent outcomes.