Immediate and Residual Antifungal Activity of Compounds Used for Whole Body and Adjuvant Topical Therapy Against Microsporum Canis: An In Vitro Study

The study evaluated the immediate and residual antifungal activity of various topical products against Microsporum canis using hair samples from naturally infected kittens. All tested products were effective against isolated infected spores, with most requiring only one treatment to disinfect whole infected hairs, except for miconazole 0.2% and ketoconazole 0.15%, which needed three treatments. Residual activity was consistent across 24, 48, and 72 hours for most products. Lime sulfur and enilconazole showed residual activity for whole body applications, while several focal therapy products, including clotrimazole 1% and terbinafine 1%, also demonstrated residual effects. The study concluded that enilconazole and lime sulfur should be applied twice weekly, and adjuvant focal topical therapy should be applied daily or every other day.