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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs

Published on: April 21, 2012

[Management of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Outcome apropos of 326 cases treated with high-dose pentamidine

E Lightburn1, J J Morand, J B Meynard

  • 1Service de Dermatologie, HIA Laveran, 13998 Marseille-Armées, France. ed.light@free.fr

Medecine Tropicale : Revue Du Corps De Sante Colonial
|August 2, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Prompt treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis with pentamidine isethionate is crucial. Delayed treatment increases failure rates and severe side effects like rhabdomyolysis.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical medicine
  • Parasitology
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak among French military personnel in French Guyana (1998-1999).
  • Retrospective analysis of 326 cases.
  • Comparison of treatment outcomes between French Guyana and Marseille.

Purpose:

  • Evaluate the efficacy and safety of pentamidine isethionate treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
  • Identify factors influencing treatment outcomes.
  • Assess the incidence of rhabdomyolysis as a side effect.

Summary:

  • Intramuscular pentamidine isethionate (4 mg/kg on Days 1 and 3) was administered to 326 patients.
  • Significantly lower failure rates (5% vs. 25%) were observed with prompt treatment in French Guyana compared to delayed treatment in Marseille.
  • Extensive rhabdomyolysis was a previously unreported side effect in all tested cases.

Impact:

  • Recommends prompt treatment with lower doses of pentamidine isethionate.
  • Highlights the importance of timely intervention in managing cutaneous leishmaniasis.
  • Suggests alternative treatments including oral miltefosine and topical paromomycin for American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

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