Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of early stage cutaneous leishmaniasis: A pilot study

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been investigated for the treatment of various dermatological disorders. Here, we investigate the efficacy of LLLT for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study comprised of 53 patients (total 123 lesions) with a confirmed diagnosis of CL via positive smear of LD-bodies. The CL lesions were classified in Grade I (ie, papule of size ≤1 cm) to Grade V (ie, vesicle formation, ulceration, and superadded infection of size >4 cm). All the patients were divided into group 1 with low grade (ie, Grade I and II) CL lesions and group 2 with high-grade disease (ie, Grade III-V). Red laser light (wavelength = 635 nm) was used for the lesion irradiation, with a light dose of 75 J/cm² and at a low power of 300 mW. The treatment was divided into four sessions, one session per week. Disease assessment at 10 months follow-up revealed complete response in 91% and partial response in 9% patients of group 1, while no response was observed in patients of group 2. LLLT offers a promising treatment modality for patients presenting with early-stage (ie, Grade I and II) CL lesions.