Immunotherapy versus chemotherapy in localised cutaneous leishmaniasis.
In a randomised trial a combination vaccine consisting of live BCG together with killed leishmania promastigotes was compared with a standard antimonial regimen in 94 patients with localised cutaneous leishmaniasis. Three vaccinations over 32 weeks gave a similar cure rate (94%) to three 20-day courses of meglumine antimonate. In the immunotherapy group side-effects were few (5.8%) and slight whereas in the chemotherapy group they were frequent (52.4%) and often serious. Immunotherapy is a low-cost, low-risk alternative to chemotherapy in localised cutaneous leishmaniasis, applicable by primary health services in rural areas.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000276:immunology*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012882:Skin Tests; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014611:Vaccination
D000906:Antibodies; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013012:Sorbitol; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate