title: Transient effect of topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with imiquimod.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis can be painful and protracted and cosmetic results are often unsatisfying. The immune modulator imiquimod has been reported to be suitable for the treatment of a variety of infectious skin diseases and neoplasias.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the efficacy of topical application of imiquimod in the treatment of old world leishmaniasis in a placebo-controlled prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients were treated with imiquimod cream using a standard protocol, i.e. topical application three times a week, and a further three served as control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis regressed within the first 2-4 weeks in 10 of the 12 patients, whereas in two patients no change was observed. However, after 8 weeks all lesions showed progression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results thus demonstrate that topical application of imiquimod alone is ineffective in treating old world cutaneous leishmaniasis. Further studies are required to demonstrate a possible benefit of imiquimod in combination with other, preferably orally administered medicines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seeberger
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daoud
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pammer
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod