Efficacy of Combining Topical Antibiotic/Steroid/Moisturizer Therapy Compared to Active Comparator in Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that occurs most commonly during early infancy and childhood. It is frequently associated with abnormalities in skin barrier function, allergen sensitization and recurrent skin infections. AD is a major public health problem worldwide, with prevalence in children of 10-20% and 2-5% of the general population. The skin of AD patients is susceptible to colonization and infection with Staphylococcus aureus (SA )which contribute significantly to the severity of the clinical manifestations of eczema, triggering a vicious cycle. Fusidic Acid (FA) cream is a topical antibiotic widely used in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections and infected atopic dermatitis. However in recent years, the emergence of drug-resistant organisms, e.g. Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has led to scrutiny of antibiotic use. Prolonged use of topical FA has been linked with emergence of FA-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FRSA) . Fusidic acid is a natural antibiotic, extracted from cultures of Fusidium coccineum, which has a powerful antibacterial action. Topical use of Fusidic acid is fully in line with therapeutic strategies that recommend the use of an antibiotic with the narrowest activity spectrum to minimize the risk of resistance. In AD with infected lesions, combined treatment with antibiotic and steroid demonstrates greater efficacy over the use of steroid. Trial Design: A three-center, double blind, randomized ,phase II , parallel group, efficacy trial. Type of Intervention: A triple compounded cream containing a topical antibiotic , topical steroid and moisturizer. Type of control: Active control containing a double compounded cream comprising a topical steroid and moisturizer . Study population and Setting: A sample of 78 subjects will be recruited from Red Cross Children's Hospital , Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and King Edward Hospital Estimated duration of trial: 12 months. Duration of participation: Each subject will participate in the trial for a maximum of 140 days. Primary endpoint: reduction in SCORAD scores; frequency of clinical flares for AD and improvement in the quality of life at 140 days. The benefit of this trial is that it provides a simple and effective approach to the management of atopic eczema.