Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Weekly vs. fortnightly intralesional meglumine antimoniate in cutaneous leishmaniasis

1999; Wiley; Volume: 38; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1365-4362.1999.00769.x

1365-4632

Ghulam Mujtaba, Mbbs, FCPS. FCPS., Muhammad Khalid, Mbbs, FCPS. FCPS.,

Eosinophilic Disorders and Syndromes

One hundred and four patients with a clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and a positive Giemsa‐stained smear for the parasite were recruited after informed consent into this randomized clinical trial, comparing the efficacy of weekly vs. fortnightly intralesional injections of meglumine antimoniate. Patients having more than five lesions and pregnant women were not included. The patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups. Patients in group A were treated with weekly and those in group B with fortnightly intralesional injections of meglumine antimoniate solution (each ampule of 5 mL containing 425 mg of the salt). A fine needle (0.40 × 13 mm) was used to inject the lesions. Each lesion was infiltrated from all sides until it had blanched. Generally, 1–2 mL of the solution was required for individual lesions depending upon their size. No adjuvant therapy was used. In both groups, the treatment was continued until complete cure or up to 8 weeks, whichever was earlier. Patients were followed up fortnightly for 2 months after cessation of therapy for any recurrence. Laboratory investigations, including complete blood count, serum urea and creatinine, urinalysis, and liver function tests, were carried out before and after treatment.