Topical lincomycin gel in acne vulgaris

N Modi

 C-101, Nav Ambika Nagar, Shahad - 421103. Thane, India

Correspondence Address:
N Modi
C-101, Nav Ambika Nagar, Shahad - 421103. Thane
India

Sir,

I read with interest the article by Sharma et al on lincomycin gel.[1] I would like to offer some comments.

The study concludes that lincomycin gel is a safe and effective treatment option for mild to moderate acne vulgaris but it does not even touch upon a more important aspect, i.e. whether it is safer or more effective than other available and accepted treatments for acne vulgaris.

Clindamycin is a synthetic derivative of the antibiotic lincomycin which is isolated from Streptomyces species.[2] Clindamycin is accepted as a topical treatment for acne the world over, and is recommended by most standard dermatology textbooks.[3] Then is there any real need for a study of lincomycin, particularly when none of the standard dermatology textbooks even mention topical lincomycin in the list of treatment options?

The study gives a false sense of new research, which should not be allowed in major academic institutes.

1.	Sharma AD, et al. Topical lincomycin gel in acne vulgaris: A multicentric placebo controlled study. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2003;69:271-4. [Google Scholar]
2.	Sylvia HSO, Long TQ. Topical antibacterial agents. Comprehensive dermatologic therapy; 2002. p. 481. [Google Scholar]
3.	Andrew's disease of skin. 9th ed. WB Saunders; 2000. [Google Scholar]