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Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
Neurological toxicity due to antimonial treatment for refractory visceral leishmaniasis
Marta Maristany Bosch1, Guillermo Cuervo2,3, Elisabeth Matas Martín4,3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain.
Introduction:
Although pentavalent antimonials are no longer considered the first-line therapy for visceral leishmaniasis in the developed world, they are still used in certain geographical areas and in refractory cases. These drugs have a great number of adverse effects; however, neurological toxicity has been rarely reported.
Case Report:
We present a 56-year-old woman who required long-term treatment with antimonial drugs due to refractory visceral leishmaniasis and presented clinically with tremor of extremities, myoclonus, gait disturbances and epileptic seizures. The EEG showed increased beta rhythms and generalized epileptogenic activity. She had a slow but favorable response after the withdrawal of antimonials and the initiation of anticonvulsant therapy.
Conclusion:
Severe but reversible neurological toxicity is a rare adverse effect of prolonged antimonial treatment. More EEG record data are needed to support the suspicion of a possible increase of beta rhythms in this situation.
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