title: Successful treatment of canine cutaneous leishmaniasis using radio-frequency induced heat (RFH) therapy.
abstract: Canine cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL) is a significant veterinary problem. Infected dogs also serve as parasite reservoirs and contribute to human transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Current treatments for CCL are cumbersome and toxic because they are prolonged and involve multiple injections of antimonials. Radio-frequency induced heat (RFH) therapy has been found to be highly effective against CL in humans. Here, we examined the efficacy of topical RFH therapy in the treatment of CL in two pet dogs. We found that RFH therapy induced complete clinical cure and lesion healing within 45 days and both dogs have remained disease free for the last 16 months. This report is the first to demonstrate that a single topical application of RFH therapy is safe and effective in inducing long-term cure of CCL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Anil A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ahuja
authors.forename: Ram A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bumb
authors.forename: Rajesh D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Ram K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Tanwar
authors.forename: Abhay R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Satoskar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011846:Radio Waves; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000469:parasitology*