Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with localized current field (radio frequency) in Tabasco, Mexico.
In Mexico cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) occurs in 17 of 32 States, and is a serious public health problem. This is a report of treatment of CL patients in the State of Tabasco, Mexico with a localized current field-radio frequency (LCF-RF) device to generate precisely controlled heat as an alternative to prohibitively expensive drug treatment. It was not a controlled clinical trial, but rather an evaluation of the feasibility of this form of treatment for all CL patients encountered in the endemic area. A total of 201 previously diagnosed patients with CL caused by Leishmania mexicana were treated with a portable Thermosurgery LCF-RF generator powered by rechargeable batteries. The ages of the patients ranged from two to 75 years; the sex distribution was 63% males and 37% females. A single device was used in five different municipalities. Lesions were first anesthetized with 1% lidocaine HCl and moistened with normal saline solution. Treatment consisted of a single application that produced 50 degrees C for 30 sec. After four weeks, 122 patients were available for evaluation, of which 95% were totally cured; (even those involving ear cartilage, which respond poorly to antimonials). At eight weeks post-treatment, 191 patients were evaluated, with a total cure rate of 90%. This form of treatment proved to be effective and convenient for use in primary health care facilities in Mexico and has many advantages over traditional forms of therapy.
Velasco-Castrejon
O
O
Instituto Nacional de Diagnostico y Referencia Epidemiologica, Colonia Santo Tomas, Mexico DF, Mexico.
Walton
B C
BC
Rivas-Sanchez
B
B
Garcia
M F
MF
Lazaro
G J
GJ
Hobart
O
O
Roldan
S
S
Floriani-Verdugo
J
J
Munguia-Saldana
A
A
Berzaluce
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome