Comparative efficacy of intralesional sodium stibogluconate (SSG) alone and its combination with intramuscular SSG to treat localized cutaneous leishmaniasis: Results of a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Intralesional sodium stibogluconate (SSG) has become first line therapy for localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL).


OBJECTIVE
This study compares the efficacy of intralesional SSG given alone with that of intralesional SSG combined with intramuscular SSG.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients aged between 5-56 years were included in the study. The first group received three injections of intralesional SSG on alternate days while the other group received three injections of intralesional SSG similar to the first group and the rest of the calculated dose as a simultaneous, intramuscular injection. Patients were followed up every four weeks to assess for cure/ the need for repeating the treatment.


RESULTS
Five patients from group 1 having small nodular lesions of < six months duration were cured after 1-2 treatment cycles. However, six patients with mucosal lesions, large lesions and lesions of > six months duration needed 3-5 treatment schedules. Most plaques and mucosal lesions in seven patients in group 2 cleared with two treatment cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Intralesional combined with intramuscular SSG appears more effective in LCL and gave qualitatively superior healing than intralesional SSG given alone.
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, India.
Ajeet K
AK
Negi
Nand Lal
NL
Sharma
Vikram K
VK
Mahajan
Nitin
N
Ranjan
Anil K
AK
Kanga
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate