title: Efficacy of Topical Liposomal Amphotericin B versus Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantime) in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.
abstract: Background. Topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is an attractive alternative avoiding toxicities of parenteral therapy while being administered through a simple painless route. Recently liposomal formulations of amphotericin B have been increasingly used in the treatment of several types of leishmaniasis. Aims. The efficacy of a topical liposomal amphotericin B formulation was compared with intralesional glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods. From 110 patients, the randomly selected 50 received a topical liposomal formulation of amphotericin B into each lesion, 3-7 drops twice daily, according to the lesion's size and for 8 weeks. The other group of 60 patients received intralesional glucantime injection of 1-2 mL once a week for the same period. The clinical responses and side effects of both groups were evaluated weekly during the treatment course. Results. Per-protocol analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.317, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.610 (0.632-4.101)). Moreover, after intention-to-treat analysis, the same results were seen (P = 0.650, 95% CI = 0.1.91 (0.560-2.530)). Serious post treatment side effects were not observed in either group. Conclusions. Topical liposomal amphotericin B has the same efficacy as intralesional glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Skin Diseases & Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Ghaem Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Pouran
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Layegh
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rajabi
authors.forename: Mahmoud Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jafari
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emamgholi Tabar Malekshah
authors.forename: Toktam
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moghiman
authors.forename: Hami
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: Roshanak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salari