title: [Visceral leishmaniasis: new drugs].
abstract: The standard treatment of visceral leishmaniasis is pentavalent antimony (meglumine antimoniate or sodium stibogluconate), but toxicity is frequent with this drug. Moreover, antimony unresponsiveness is increasing, both in immunocompetent and in immunosuppressed patients. Amphotericin B is a polyene macrolide antibiotic that binds to sterols in cell membranes. It is the most active antileishmanial agent in use. Its infusion-related and renal toxicity may be reduced by lipid-based delivery. Liposomal amphotericin B (Ambisome) seems to be less toxic than other amphotericin B lipid formulations (Amphocil, Amphotec). Optimal drug regimens of Ambisome vary from one geographical area to another. In the Mediterranean Basin, a total dose of 18 to 24 mg/kg is safe and effective. Shortening the duration of treatment without decreasing the total dose (i.e., 10 mg/kg/day for 2 days) seems promising to reduce the global cost of the therapy.
authors.affiliation: Urgences pédiatriques, CHU Nord, chemin des Bourrelly, 13915 Marseille 20, France. philippe.minodier@ap-hm.fr
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Minodier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Retornaz
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Garnier
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008536:Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C039128:miltefosine; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D000666:Amphotericin B; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate