Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructural changes in onychomycosis during the treatment with bifonazole/urea ointment. 1992

H Fritsch, and S Stettendorf, and L Hegemann

Institute of Anatomy, University of Lübeck, FRG.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of bifonazole/urea ointment, a novel topical drug for the treatment of onychomycosis, on the ultrastructure of normal and fungus-infected human toenails by scanning electron microscopy. Nails were treated with the drug ex vivo and compared to untreated controls. During treatment, the corneocyte layers disintegrated, and the structure markedly loosened. After 5 days of treatment, the morphology of fungal cells, found at the undersurface of infected nails, was changed due to the antifungal drug action. The present data demonstrate that by the use of this drug, the agent effectively penetrates the nail plate and affects the fungal cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007093	Imidazoles	Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D009262	Nails	The thin, horny plates that cover the dorsal surfaces of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes of primates.	Fingernails,Toenails,Fingernail,Nail,Toenail
D009824	Ointments	Semisolid preparations used topically for protective emollient effects or as a vehicle for local administration of medications. Ointment bases are various mixtures of fats, waxes, animal and plant oils and solid and liquid hydrocarbons.	Ointment,Paste,Pastes,Salve,Unguent,Salves,Skin Ointment,Unguents,Ointment, Skin
D004338	Drug Combinations	Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture.	Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D005533	Foot Dermatoses	Skin diseases of the foot, general or unspecified.	Foot Dermatosis,Dermatoses, Foot,Dermatosis, Foot
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000287	Administration, Topical	The application of drug preparations to the surfaces of the body, especially the skin (ADMINISTRATION, CUTANEOUS) or mucous membranes. This method of treatment is used to avoid systemic side effects when high doses are required at a localized area or as an alternative systemic administration route, to avoid hepatic processing for example.	Drug Administration, Topical,Administration, Topical Drug,Topical Administration,Topical Drug Administration,Administrations, Topical,Administrations, Topical Drug,Drug Administrations, Topical,Topical Administrations,Topical Drug Administrations
D000935	Antifungal Agents	Substances that destroy fungi by suppressing their ability to grow or reproduce. They differ from FUNGICIDES, INDUSTRIAL because they defend against fungi present in human or animal tissues.	Anti-Fungal Agents,Antifungal Agent,Fungicides, Therapeutic,Antibiotics, Antifungal,Therapeutic Fungicides,Agent, Antifungal,Anti Fungal Agents,Antifungal Antibiotics
D014009	Onychomycosis	A fungal infection of the nail, usually caused by DERMATOPHYTES; YEASTS; or nondermatophyte MOLDS.	Nail Fungus,Tinea Unguium,Fungus, Nail,Onychomycoses