Comparison Of Oral Dapsone With Intramuscular Meglumine Antimoniate In Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis requires effective second-line treatments.
• Dapsone is a well-tolerated and cost-effective therapeutic option.
• Meglumine antimoniate is a current standard treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of oral dapsone versus intramuscular meglumine antimoniate for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
• To identify an effective second-line treatment agent for this condition.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 100 biopsy-proven cutaneous leishmaniasis patients.
• Group A received intramuscular meglumine antimoniate (15 mg/kg/day).
• Group B received oral dapsone (2.5 mg/kg/day).
• Efficacy was assessed at the end of treatment; data analyzed using Chi-square test.

Main Results:

• Both treatments showed significant efficacy (p=0.020) and duration of treatment was significant (p<0.001).
• Meglumine antimoniate offered faster recovery (21-40 days).
• Dapsone demonstrated comparable efficacy with recovery in (41-60 days).

Conclusions:

• Oral dapsone is an effective treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
• Dapsone presents a viable and effective alternative second-line therapy.