Short-course treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome).
We evaluated liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome; Vestar, San Dimas, CA) administered to 88 immunocompetent patients (56 children) with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum. Thirteen patients received 4 mg/kg on days 1-5 and 10 (total dose, 24 mg/kg), and all were cured; 42 received 3 mg/kg on days 1-5 and 10 (18 mg/kg), and 41 were cured; 32 received 3 mg/kg on days 1-4 and 10 (15 mg/kg), and 29 were cured (amastigotes were not cleared from 1 child, and 2 relapsed). One adult was cured with a total dose of 12mg/kg. The four children who were not cured received 3 mg/kg for 10 days; none had further relapses. There were no significant adverse events. For VL due to L. infantum, we recommended a total dose of AmBisome of > or = 20 mg/kg, given in > or = 5 doses of 3-4 mg/kg over > or = 10 days.
Davidson
R N
RN
Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
di Martino
L
L
Gradoni
L
L
Giacchino
R
R
Gaeta
G B
GB
Pempinello
R
R
Scotti
S
S
Cascio
A
A
Castagnola
E
E
Maisto
A
A
Gramiccia
M
M
di Caprio
D
D
Wilkinson
R J
RJ
Bryceson
A D
AD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D000666:Amphotericin B