{"id":{"repo_id":"freiburg-diss","oai_identifier":"oai:freidok.uni-freiburg.de:2463"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/freiburg-diss/oai:freidok.uni-freiburg.de:2463","repository":{"repo_id":"freiburg-diss","name":"University of Freiburg","base_url":"https://freidok.uni-freiburg.de/oai/oai2.php"},"display":{"title":"Efficacy of triclosan soap against superficial dermatomycoses and scabies : a placebo-controlled study among 228 primary school children in Kilombero district, Mororgoro region, Tanzania","abstract":"Background: The present placebo-controlled double-blind study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy of Triclosan against selected superficial dermatomycoses and scabies. The overall effect of regular soap use was also evaluated. Methods: 820 Tanzanian primary school children were examined for the presence of skin disorders. The clinical presentation of the dermatoses was documented. Samples of suspected dermatomycoses were examined microscopically using KOH. Quality control and culture were performed, and the MIC's of placebo soap and Triclosan against Malassezia spp. were assessed in vitro. The children with superficial dermatomycoses or scabies were selected for this trial. They received either bar soap containing Triclosan (active group) or placebo soap during a period of 8 weeks. They were followed-up after 1 and 2 months. Results: Among the 820 examined children, superficial dermatomycoses were the most common diagnoses, with a total prevalence rate of 33.9%. The prevalence rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 26.2%, 5.5%, 2.6%, 3.2% respectively. Triclosan soap was not significantly more effective against any of the selected dermatoses. Overall cure rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 28.4%, 61.1%, 56.3% and 36.8% respectively. In tinea versicolor soap use improved the overall degree of infection significantly (p = 0.000). The proportion of negative microscopic results increased from 19.0 to 51.6%. Neither the placebo nor Triclosan were efficacious against Malassezia spp. in vitro at relevant concentrations. In tinea capitis the overall degree of infection also improved significantly (p = 0.001). The addition of Triclosan yielded only slightly, non-significantly superior results. In the Triclosan group, the proportion of negative tinea capitis samples increased from 22% to 64%, whereas it decreased from 57% to 53% in the placebo group. In tinea corporis the size of the largest lesion decreased from 2.2 cm to 1.0 cm in the active group whereas it increased in the placebo group. In tinea pedis the cure rate was non-significantly higher for active than for placebo soap (86% versus 56%). The prevalence of scabies was 1.5%. All 6 children included in this study showed an overall tendency towards improvement with either soap. <br>Conclusions: In tinea versicolor the lack of superior efficacy of Triclosan soap is consistent with the lack of in vitro efficacy of Triclosan. The overall improvement may be due to unspecific effects associated with soap use such as a reduction of the amount of superficial skin lipids. In other dermatomycoses, the overall improvement can be explained by the elimination of infectious pathogens from the integument. The in vitro activity against certain dermatophyte spp. explains the slight beneficial effect of Triclosan versus placebo soap. The lack of significance may be due to the mode of application and the common use of vaseline. The results therefore confirm the usefulness of soap, but do not justify the addition of Triclosan to treat superficial skin mycoses and scabies.","abstract_html":"Background: The present placebo-controlled double-blind study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy of Triclosan against selected superficial dermatomycoses and scabies. The overall effect of regular soap use was also evaluated. Methods: 820 Tanzanian primary school children were examined for the presence of skin disorders. The clinical presentation of the dermatoses was documented. Samples of suspected dermatomycoses were examined microscopically using KOH. Quality control and culture were performed, and the MIC&#x27;s of placebo soap and Triclosan against Malassezia spp. were assessed in vitro. The children with superficial dermatomycoses or scabies were selected for this trial. They received either bar soap containing Triclosan (active group) or placebo soap during a period of 8 weeks. They were followed-up after 1 and 2 months. Results: Among the 820 examined children, superficial dermatomycoses were the most common diagnoses, with a total prevalence rate of 33.9%. The prevalence rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 26.2%, 5.5%, 2.6%, 3.2% respectively. Triclosan soap was not significantly more effective against any of the selected dermatoses. Overall cure rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 28.4%, 61.1%, 56.3% and 36.8% respectively. In tinea versicolor soap use improved the overall degree of infection significantly (p = 0.000). The proportion of negative microscopic results increased from 19.0 to 51.6%. Neither the placebo nor Triclosan were efficacious against Malassezia spp. in vitro at relevant concentrations. In tinea capitis the overall degree of infection also improved significantly (p = 0.001). The addition of Triclosan yielded only slightly, non-significantly superior results. In the Triclosan group, the proportion of negative tinea capitis samples increased from 22% to 64%, whereas it decreased from 57% to 53% in the placebo group. In tinea corporis the size of the largest lesion decreased from 2.2 cm to 1.0 cm in the active group whereas it increased in the placebo group. In tinea pedis the cure rate was non-significantly higher for active than for placebo soap (86% versus 56%). The prevalence of scabies was 1.5%. All 6 children included in this study showed an overall tendency towards improvement with either soap. &lt;br&gt;Conclusions: In tinea versicolor the lack of superior efficacy of Triclosan soap is consistent with the lack of in vitro efficacy of Triclosan. The overall improvement may be due to unspecific effects associated with soap use such as a reduction of the amount of superficial skin lipids. In other dermatomycoses, the overall improvement can be explained by the elimination of infectious pathogens from the integument. The in vitro activity against certain dermatophyte spp. explains the slight beneficial effect of Triclosan versus placebo soap. The lack of significance may be due to the mode of application and the common use of vaseline. The results therefore confirm the usefulness of soap, but do not justify the addition of Triclosan to treat superficial skin mycoses and scabies.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Dinkela, Almuth"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Hatz, Christoph"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":null,"date_issued":"","date_published":null,"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:22:46Z","subjects":["Dermatomycoses","Triclosan, soap, Tanzania"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://freidok.uni-freiburg.de/data/2463","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"source_url"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Hatz, Christoph"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Dinkela, Almuth"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["DoctoralThesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Dermatomycoses","Triclosan, soap, Tanzania"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Background: The present placebo-controlled double-blind study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy of Triclosan against selected superficial dermatomycoses and scabies. The overall effect of regular soap use was also evaluated. Methods: 820 Tanzanian primary school children were examined for the presence of skin disorders. The clinical presentation of the dermatoses was documented. Samples of suspected dermatomycoses were examined microscopically using KOH. Quality control and culture were performed, and the MIC's of placebo soap and Triclosan against Malassezia spp. were assessed in vitro. The children with superficial dermatomycoses or scabies were selected for this trial. They received either bar soap containing Triclosan (active group) or placebo soap during a period of 8 weeks. They were followed-up after 1 and 2 months. Results: Among the 820 examined children, superficial dermatomycoses were the most common diagnoses, with a total prevalence rate of 33.9%. The prevalence rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 26.2%, 5.5%, 2.6%, 3.2% respectively. Triclosan soap was not significantly more effective against any of the selected dermatoses. Overall cure rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 28.4%, 61.1%, 56.3% and 36.8% respectively. In tinea versicolor soap use improved the overall degree of infection significantly (p = 0.000). The proportion of negative microscopic results increased from 19.0 to 51.6%. Neither the placebo nor Triclosan were efficacious against Malassezia spp. in vitro at relevant concentrations. In tinea capitis the overall degree of infection also improved significantly (p = 0.001). The addition of Triclosan yielded only slightly, non-significantly superior results. In the Triclosan group, the proportion of negative tinea capitis samples increased from 22% to 64%, whereas it decreased from 57% to 53% in the placebo group. In tinea corporis the size of the largest lesion decreased from 2.2 cm to 1.0 cm in the active group whereas it increased in the placebo group. In tinea pedis the cure rate was non-significantly higher for active than for placebo soap (86% versus 56%). The prevalence of scabies was 1.5%. All 6 children included in this study showed an overall tendency towards improvement with either soap. <br>Conclusions: In tinea versicolor the lack of superior efficacy of Triclosan soap is consistent with the lack of in vitro efficacy of Triclosan. The overall improvement may be due to unspecific effects associated with soap use such as a reduction of the amount of superficial skin lipids. In other dermatomycoses, the overall improvement can be explained by the elimination of infectious pathogens from the integument. The in vitro activity against certain dermatophyte spp. explains the slight beneficial effect of Triclosan versus placebo soap. The lack of significance may be due to the mode of application and the common use of vaseline. The results therefore confirm the usefulness of soap, but do not justify the addition of Triclosan to treat superficial skin mycoses and scabies.","Einleitung: In der vorliegenden Placebo-Kontrollierten Doppelblindstudie wurden die klinische Effektivität von Triclosan und der Gesamteffekt regelmäßigen Seifengebrauchs gegen ausgewählte Dermatomykosen und Skabies ermittelt. Methoden: 820 tansanische Grundschüler wurden bezüglich des Vorhandenseins von Hautkrankheiten untersucht. Bei klinisch vermuteten Dermatomykosen wurden Proben von den Läsionsorten entnommen und mittels KOH mikroskopisch untersucht. Eine Qualitätskontrolle, kulturelle Anzüchtung sowie die Ermittlung der Minimal inhibitorischen Konzentrationen von Placeboseife und Triclosan gegen Malassezia spp. in vitro wurden durchgeführt. Die an oberflächlichen Dermatomykosen oder Skabies leidenden Schüler wurden für diese klinische Studie ausgewählt. Sie erhielten wöchentlich für 8 Wochen entweder eine Triclosanseife oder eine Placeboseife. Nachuntersuchungen erfolgten nach 1 und 2 Monaten. Resultate: Die Dermatomykosen T. versicolor, capitis, corporis, pedis mit Prävelenzen von 26,2%, 5,5%, 2,6%, 3,2% (Gesamt-Prävalenz: 33,9%) insgesamt die häufigsten Diagnosen. Triclosanseife war gegen keine der Dermatosen signifikant wirksamer als das Placebo. Die Gesamtheilungsraten von T. versicolor, T. capitis, corporis und pedis betrugen 28.4%, 61.1%, 56.3% und 36.8%. Der Schweregrad von T. versicolor verbesserte sich durch den Seifengebrauch (Triclosan- und Placebogruppe zusammengefasst) signifikant (p = 0.000). Der Anteil der negativen mikroskopischen Resultate erhöhte sich von 19,0 auf 51,6%. In vitro waren weder Triclosan noch Placeboseife in relevanten Konzentrationen gegen Malassezia spp. aktiv. Der Schweregrad von T. capitis verbesserte sich durch Seifengebrauch ebenfalls signifikant (p = 0,001). In der Triclosangruppe erhöhte sich der Anteil negativer mikroskopischer Resultate von 22% auf 64%, während er sich in der Placebogruppe von 57% auf 53% verringerte. Die durchschnittliche Größe der Läsionen bei T. corporis verringerte sich in der Triclosangruppe von 2.2 cm auf 1.0 cm, wohingegen er sich in der Placebogruppe vergrößerte. In der Triclosangruppe war die Heilungsrate von T. pedis höher als in der Placebogruppe, wenn auch nicht signifikant (86% versus 56%). Die Prävalenz von Skabies betrug 1,5%. Alle 6 in die Studie aufgenommen Kinder zeigten eine deutliche Verbesserung ihrer Infektionen. Schlussfolgerungen: Dass Triclosanseife bei der Behandlung von T. versicolor dem Placebo nicht überlegen war, korrespondiert mit der fehlenden in-vitro-Aktivität der Substanz. Die Gesamtverbesserung könnte auf die durch den vermehrten Seifenkonsum verringerten Hautlipide zurückzuführen sein. Die erwiesene in-vitro-Aktivität gegen Dermatophyten konnte in dieser klinischen Studie nicht signifikant bestätigt werden. Die fehlende Signifikanz könnte durch die Applikationsart und häufigen Gebrauch von Vaseline begründet sein. Die Elimination infektiöser Partikel vom Integument erklärt die Gesamtverbesserung. Die Resultate bestätigen die Nützlichkeit intensiven Seifengebrauchs, rechtfertigen aber den Zusatz von Triclosan nicht, um Dermatomykosen und Skabies zu behandeln."]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["application/pdf"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Efficacy of triclosan soap against superficial dermatomycoses and scabies : a placebo-controlled study among 228 primary school children in Kilombero district, Mororgoro region, Tanzania","Effektivität von Triclosan-Seife gegen oberflächliche Dermatomykosen und Scabies : eine placebokontrollierte Doppelblindstudie über 228 Grundschulkinder im Kilombero Distrikt, Morogoro Region, Tansania"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Hatz, Christoph"],"dc:creator":["Dinkela, Almuth"],"dc:description.abstract":["Background: The present placebo-controlled double-blind study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy of Triclosan against selected superficial dermatomycoses and scabies. The overall effect of regular soap use was also evaluated. Methods: 820 Tanzanian primary school children were examined for the presence of skin disorders. The clinical presentation of the dermatoses was documented. Samples of suspected dermatomycoses were examined microscopically using KOH. Quality control and culture were performed, and the MIC's of placebo soap and Triclosan against Malassezia spp. were assessed in vitro. The children with superficial dermatomycoses or scabies were selected for this trial. They received either bar soap containing Triclosan (active group) or placebo soap during a period of 8 weeks. They were followed-up after 1 and 2 months. Results: Among the 820 examined children, superficial dermatomycoses were the most common diagnoses, with a total prevalence rate of 33.9%. The prevalence rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 26.2%, 5.5%, 2.6%, 3.2% respectively. Triclosan soap was not significantly more effective against any of the selected dermatoses. Overall cure rates of tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, corporis and pedis were 28.4%, 61.1%, 56.3% and 36.8% respectively. In tinea versicolor soap use improved the overall degree of infection significantly (p = 0.000). The proportion of negative microscopic results increased from 19.0 to 51.6%. Neither the placebo nor Triclosan were efficacious against Malassezia spp. in vitro at relevant concentrations. In tinea capitis the overall degree of infection also improved significantly (p = 0.001). The addition of Triclosan yielded only slightly, non-significantly superior results. In the Triclosan group, the proportion of negative tinea capitis samples increased from 22% to 64%, whereas it decreased from 57% to 53% in the placebo group. In tinea corporis the size of the largest lesion decreased from 2.2 cm to 1.0 cm in the active group whereas it increased in the placebo group. In tinea pedis the cure rate was non-significantly higher for active than for placebo soap (86% versus 56%). The prevalence of scabies was 1.5%. All 6 children included in this study showed an overall tendency towards improvement with either soap. <br>Conclusions: In tinea versicolor the lack of superior efficacy of Triclosan soap is consistent with the lack of in vitro efficacy of Triclosan. The overall improvement may be due to unspecific effects associated with soap use such as a reduction of the amount of superficial skin lipids. In other dermatomycoses, the overall improvement can be explained by the elimination of infectious pathogens from the integument. The in vitro activity against certain dermatophyte spp. explains the slight beneficial effect of Triclosan versus placebo soap. The lack of significance may be due to the mode of application and the common use of vaseline. The results therefore confirm the usefulness of soap, but do not justify the addition of Triclosan to treat superficial skin mycoses and scabies.","Einleitung: In der vorliegenden Placebo-Kontrollierten Doppelblindstudie wurden die klinische Effektivität von Triclosan und der Gesamteffekt regelmäßigen Seifengebrauchs gegen ausgewählte Dermatomykosen und Skabies ermittelt. Methoden: 820 tansanische Grundschüler wurden bezüglich des Vorhandenseins von Hautkrankheiten untersucht. Bei klinisch vermuteten Dermatomykosen wurden Proben von den Läsionsorten entnommen und mittels KOH mikroskopisch untersucht. Eine Qualitätskontrolle, kulturelle Anzüchtung sowie die Ermittlung der Minimal inhibitorischen Konzentrationen von Placeboseife und Triclosan gegen Malassezia spp. in vitro wurden durchgeführt. Die an oberflächlichen Dermatomykosen oder Skabies leidenden Schüler wurden für diese klinische Studie ausgewählt. Sie erhielten wöchentlich für 8 Wochen entweder eine Triclosanseife oder eine Placeboseife. Nachuntersuchungen erfolgten nach 1 und 2 Monaten. Resultate: Die Dermatomykosen T. versicolor, capitis, corporis, pedis mit Prävelenzen von 26,2%, 5,5%, 2,6%, 3,2% (Gesamt-Prävalenz: 33,9%) insgesamt die häufigsten Diagnosen. Triclosanseife war gegen keine der Dermatosen signifikant wirksamer als das Placebo. Die Gesamtheilungsraten von T. versicolor, T. capitis, corporis und pedis betrugen 28.4%, 61.1%, 56.3% und 36.8%. Der Schweregrad von T. versicolor verbesserte sich durch den Seifengebrauch (Triclosan- und Placebogruppe zusammengefasst) signifikant (p = 0.000). Der Anteil der negativen mikroskopischen Resultate erhöhte sich von 19,0 auf 51,6%. In vitro waren weder Triclosan noch Placeboseife in relevanten Konzentrationen gegen Malassezia spp. aktiv. Der Schweregrad von T. capitis verbesserte sich durch Seifengebrauch ebenfalls signifikant (p = 0,001). In der Triclosangruppe erhöhte sich der Anteil negativer mikroskopischer Resultate von 22% auf 64%, während er sich in der Placebogruppe von 57% auf 53% verringerte. Die durchschnittliche Größe der Läsionen bei T. corporis verringerte sich in der Triclosangruppe von 2.2 cm auf 1.0 cm, wohingegen er sich in der Placebogruppe vergrößerte. In der Triclosangruppe war die Heilungsrate von T. pedis höher als in der Placebogruppe, wenn auch nicht signifikant (86% versus 56%). Die Prävalenz von Skabies betrug 1,5%. Alle 6 in die Studie aufgenommen Kinder zeigten eine deutliche Verbesserung ihrer Infektionen. Schlussfolgerungen: Dass Triclosanseife bei der Behandlung von T. versicolor dem Placebo nicht überlegen war, korrespondiert mit der fehlenden in-vitro-Aktivität der Substanz. Die Gesamtverbesserung könnte auf die durch den vermehrten Seifenkonsum verringerten Hautlipide zurückzuführen sein. Die erwiesene in-vitro-Aktivität gegen Dermatophyten konnte in dieser klinischen Studie nicht signifikant bestätigt werden. Die fehlende Signifikanz könnte durch die Applikationsart und häufigen Gebrauch von Vaseline begründet sein. Die Elimination infektiöser Partikel vom Integument erklärt die Gesamtverbesserung. Die Resultate bestätigen die Nützlichkeit intensiven Seifengebrauchs, rechtfertigen aber den Zusatz von Triclosan nicht, um Dermatomykosen und Skabies zu behandeln."],"dc:format.medium":["application/pdf"],"dc:subject":["Dermatomycoses","Triclosan, soap, Tanzania"],"dc:title":["Efficacy of triclosan soap against superficial dermatomycoses and scabies : a placebo-controlled study among 228 primary school children in Kilombero district, Mororgoro region, Tanzania","Effektivität von Triclosan-Seife gegen oberflächliche Dermatomykosen und Scabies : eine placebokontrollierte Doppelblindstudie über 228 Grundschulkinder im Kilombero Distrikt, Morogoro Region, Tansania"],"dc:type":["DoctoralThesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:22:46Z"}