Cutaneous leishmaniasis; clinical response of intralesional meglumine antimoniate in the treatment

ABSTRACT

The aim of study was to evaluate clinical response of Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate [MA] in the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [CL]. A case control interventional prospective study Scouts Hospital Wana, from Feb 2003 to Dec 2004. A total number of sixty patients were included in the study on the basis of demonstration of LT bodies in the slit skin smears and skin biopsies. These patients were randomly distributed in three groups. Group 1 constituted 20 patients who received 0.5 ml [42.5 mg of MA] in each lesion six days a week for a total number of 15 injections. Group II included 20 patients who received o.5 ml [42.5 mg of MA] in each lesion on alternate days for a total number of 15 injections. Group III included 20 patients, who were unwilling for treatment due to personal reasons and were used as a control group. Patients were then observed on 30 days and followed up at 3 and 6 months. In group I over all cure rate was found to be, 12 of 20 [60% patients. In group II 17 of 20 [85%] patients and in group III spontaneous healing was found in 3 of 20 [15%] patients. Intralesional administration of pentavalent Antimonial compound [Meglumine Antimoniate] is an effective method of treatment in cutaneous Leishmaniasis