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- Title
Evaluation of treatment with pentamidine for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Suriname.
- Authors
van der Meide, Wendy F.; Sabajo, Leslie O. A.; Jensema, Annigje J.; Peekel, Inge; Faber, William R.; Schallig, Henk D. F. H.; Fat, Rudy F. M. Lai A.
- Abstract
Background In Suriname, pentamidine isethionate (PI) is the only drug available for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Recently, local dermatologists have observed an increase in CL patients not responding adequately to the standard doses. Methods In this study, patient compliance to PI treatment was assessed, and its efficacy was evaluated by comparing the clinical criteria and parasitologic load in week 3 of treatment. Skin biopsies were collected before, during and at the end of therapy and tested by quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based amplification. Results In total, 67 patients with suspected CL were enrolled during the recruitment period, of which only 23 patients with confirmed CL were followed until the end of treatment. All 23 patients were found to be infected with Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis. A lower cure rate (76–78%) was estimated than that obtained previously (90%), and only 50% of the recruited CL patients finished the complete treatment schedule. Conclusions As one-half of the CL patients were treated insufficiently, a much shorter treatment protocol should be considered to improve the inadequate follow-up.
- Subjects
SURINAME; CUTANEOUS leishmaniasis; NUCLEOTIDE sequence; DRUG efficacy; SKIN biopsy; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
International Journal of Dermatology, 2009, Vol 48, Issue 1, p52
- ISSN
0011-9059
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.03883.x