The management of cutaneous leishmaniasis from Belize.
We report 20 patients who contracted cutaneous leishmaniasis in Central and South America, 18 of them in Belize. The diagnosis was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 79% of those tested; the corresponding figure for histology was 62%, touch smear 46%, and culture 11%. Results of PCR can be falsely positive, so treatment should not be based on PCR alone. Of the 20 cases 18 were healed 6 weeks after intravenous sodium stibogluconate 20 mg/kg per day for 20 days. We present a management protocol.
Department of Dermatology, Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, UK, County Hospital, Lincoln, UK. roypalmer@totalise.co.uk
R A
RA
Palmer
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Tran
N C
NC
Hepburn
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Ashton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate