Comparison between one and two injections of pentamidine isethionate, at 7 mg/kg in each injection, in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in French Guiana.
In a retrospective study set in French Guiana, the efficacy and tolerance of the intramuscular treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) with a single injection of pentamidine isethionate, at 7 mg/kg, were compared with those observed, earlier, using two such injections (given 48 h apart). Although 83.6% of the 281 patients given two injections each were cured, the single-injection protocol was generally as effective, curing 78.8% of 137 patients. The single-injection protocol was also associated with fewer adverse effects than the two-injection. In the treatment of "difficult" cases (those with satellite papules or relatively high numbers of amastigotes in their lesions), however, the two-injection protocol appeared significantly more effective than the single-injection. In French Guiana, therefore, patients with CL should be given one injection with pentamidine isethionate and only be given a second, 48 h later, if they have satellite papules and/or relatively high numbers of amastigotes in their lesions.
Roussel
M
M
Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Avenue des Flamboyants, 97 300 Cayenne, French Guiana.
Nacher
M
M
Frémont
G
G
Rotureau
B
B
Clyti
E
E
Sainte-Marie
D
D
Carme
B
B
Pradinaud
R
R
Couppié
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005616:French Guiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010419:Pentamidine