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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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Treatment of paediatric visceral leishmaniasis: amphotericin B or pentavalent antimony compounds?

D A Kafetzis1, I M Velissariou, S Stabouli

  • 1Second Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, P. & A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece. kafetzis@ath.forthnet.gr

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|December 29, 2004
PubMed

Insights

For treating childhood visceral leishmaniasis, liposomal amphotericin B offers a shorter hospital stay compared to meglumine antimonate. Both treatments effectively cure the infection without relapse.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe parasitic disease affecting children globally.
  • Pentavalent antimony compounds and liposomal amphotericin B are primary treatments for VL.
  • Determining the optimal treatment for pediatric VL is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and clinical outcomes of meglumine antimonate and liposomal amphotericin B in children with visceral leishmaniasis.
  • To evaluate treatment duration, hospital stay, and cure rates for both therapeutic regimens.
  • To identify the preferable treatment option considering patient well-being and clinical management.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for children (0-14 years) diagnosed with VL over four years.
  • Analysis of treatment regimens, including meglumine antimonate (20 mg/kg/day for 21 days) and liposomal amphotericin B (various dosage schemes).
  • Comparison of patient outcomes, focusing on hospital stay duration, cure rates, and relapse incidence.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-nine children with VL were included: 10 treated with meglumine antimonate and 19 with liposomal amphotericin B.
  • All patients achieved cure, with no observed relapses in either treatment group.
  • Liposomal amphotericin B treatment resulted in a significantly shorter median hospital stay (7 days) compared to meglumine antimonate (19 days).

Conclusions:

  • Both meglumine antimonate and liposomal amphotericin B are effective treatments for pediatric visceral leishmaniasis.
  • Liposomal amphotericin B is preferable due to a reduced hospital stay, enhancing patient convenience, though cost implications require consideration.
  • Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and duration for liposomal amphotericin B in pediatric VL treatment.

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