MMR vaccine injections into lesions for stubborn ringworm of the body and groin (tinea corporis and cruris)
Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Intra-lesional Immunotherapy Against Recalcitrant Tinea Cruris & Corporis: a Pilot Study
This pilot will test whether injecting the MMR vaccine into affected skin can help people ages 10–60 with tinea corporis or cruris that hasn't responded to standard antifungal treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 10 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mansoura University Hospital Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Al Mansurah, Dakahlia Governorate) |
| Trial ID | NCT07312604 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot interventional study gives intra-lesional MMR vaccine injections into the active borders of affected tinea lesions every two weeks for up to six weeks, with a repeat course allowed if only partial improvement occurs. Pulse oral itraconazole is given during the first two weeks of treatment. Eligible participants are 10–60 years old with recalcitrant tinea defined by rapid progression, large or multiple-family involvement, rapid relapse, suspected resistant strains, or failure of at least two systemic antifungal courses in the past three months. The trial will track clinical clearance and safety at a single center (Mansoura University Hospital) as a preliminary test of this immune-based approach.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 10–60 with recalcitrant tinea corporis or cruris who have failed at least two courses of systemic antifungals in the past three months and can attend scheduled clinic visits.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, immunocompromised, naïve to systemic antifungal therapy, or unable/unwilling to attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a local immune-based option to clear dermatophyte infections that do not respond to standard antifungals, potentially reducing relapses and long courses of systemic therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Small case reports and pilot series have reported benefit from intralesional immunotherapies for persistent skin infections, but large controlled trials specifically using MMR for recalcitrant dermatophytosis are lacking.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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.
Where this trial is running
Al Mansurah, Dakahlia Governorate
- Mansoura University Hospital — Al Mansurah, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Abeer Mohamed Elkholy, MD degree of Dermatology
- Email: abeerkholy@hotmail.com
- Phone: +201006210646
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.