A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Efficacy of Intra-Lesional Immunotherapy in Patients Aged 10-60 Years With Recalcitrant Tinea Cruris and Corporis

Abeer Mohamed Abdelaziz Elkholy50 enrolled

Overview

This pilot study will test intra-lesional immunotherapy (MMR vaccine) injections as a treatment for recalcitrant tinea cruris and corporis in patients aged 10-60 years who have not improved with standard antifungal treatments. \*Eligibility: Participants must have recalcitrant tinea, defined as: * Rapid progression or large areas of skin affected, * Infection in multiple family members, especially females and children * Rapid relapse after prior treatment * Suspected resistant T. indotineae (based on travel history or contact with affected individuals from high-prevalence regions) * Failure of at least 2 courses of systemic antifungal therapy in the past 3 months Treatment: Patients will receive intra-lesional MMR vaccine injections into the active borders of affected lesions every 2 weeks for up to 6 weeks. If partial improvement occurs but complete clearance is not achieved, the course may be repeated for another 6 weeks. Pulse itraconazole will be given during the first 2 weeks. Monitoring: At each study visit, clinicians will assess the extent of affected skin and monitor symptoms particularly itching. Safety will be closely observed, including injection-site reactions, fever, initial flare of lesions, and any rare serious allergic reactions. Goal: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intra-lesional MMR immunotherapy for patients with tinea that has been difficult to treat.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Tinea Corporis

Interventions

Intra-Lesional MMR ImmunotherapyBIOLOGICAL

Participants will receive intra-lesional immunotherapy using the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine will be injected into the active borders of affected lesions every 2 weeks for a total duration of 6 weeks. Clinical assessment of lesion extent and symptoms, particularly pruritus, will be performed at baseline and at each visit. If partial clinical improvement is observed after the initial 6 weeks but complete resolution is not achieved, the treatment course may be extended for an additional 6 weeks, with a maximum of six intra-lesional injection sessions.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 10 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 10 - 60 years. * Evidence of recalcitrant tinea e.g. (rapid progression \& large areas affected of the body, affection of more than one family members especially females \& children, rapid relapse after treatment, suspicion of resistant T. indotineae strain by history of traveling abroad \& contact with Indians or contact with a case coming from travel \& with contact to Indians. * Patients failed at least 2 courses of systemic antifungal therapy in the last 3 months. * Safe contraception during the study (for females in the childbearing period). Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or lactating women, as well as women of childbearing potential not using an effective method of contraception. * Age \<10 years or \> 60 years. * Immunocompromised patients e.g. (uncontrolled DM or HIV patients). * Naïve patients without previous systemic antifungal treatment. * Unreliable patients.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Percent reduction in affected body surface area (BSA) from baseline

The primary efficacy endpoint is the percent reduction in the total body surface area affected by recalcitrant tinea (cruris and/or corporis), assessed by clinical examination at each study visit. This measure evaluates the improvement in lesion extent and treatment response over time.

Time frame: Assessed at each study visit (every 2 weeks) up to 6 weeks, with extension up to 12 weeks if improvement is notice after initial 6 weeks, but complete resolution isn't achieved.

Secondary Outcomes

Safety and Tolerability: Incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events

All adverse events (AEs) occurring during the study including injection site reactions, fever or initial flare, increased pruritus as well as severe reactions (anaphylaxis or angioedema) will be systematically monitored and recorded.

Time frame: Monitored continuously throughout the initial 6-week treatment period, with continued observation up to 12 weeks if a second course is administered.