Three cases of perioral dermatitis related to fusobacteria treated with β-lactam antibiotics

Background: The oral tetracyclines, especially minocycline hydrochloride, are often used as an effective treatment for perioral dermatitis; however, they are sometimes difficult to use, especially in children, because of the side effects. Objective:The effectiveness of β-lactam antibiotics was evaluated in three cases of perioral dermatitis. Methods: Three Japanese patients with perioral dermatitis were treated with cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride hydrate per os 100–300 mg/day. They were one girl (aged 10 years) and two adult women (aged 32 and 37 years respectively). One of the adult patients had a past history of Meniere's disease and the other had had a side effect, vertigo, from minocycline hydrochloride treatment. The presence of fusobacteria before and after the treatment was examined using the tape-stripping toluidine blue method. Results:These patients showed the improvement in 1–2 weeks and were much improved or cured after 2–5 weeks. No side effects were found during the treatment. Fusobacteria ...