title: Historical series of patients with visceral leishmaniasis treated with meglumine antimoniate in a hospital for tropical diseases, Maceió-AL, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic protozoan found in Brazil. It is characterized by fever, pallor, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and progressive weakness in the patient. It may lead to death if untreated. The drug of choice for treatment is meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime). The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with visceral leishmaniasis according to criteria used for diagnosis, possible reactions to Glucantime and blood pressure measured before and after treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  89 patients admitted to the Teaching Hospital Dr. Hélvio Auto (HEHA) in Maceió-AL, in the period from May 2006 to December 2009 were evaluated. Data were collected on age, sex, origin, method of diagnosis, adverse effects of drugs, duration of hospitalization, duration of treatment and dosage up to the onset of adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a predominance of child male patients, aged between one and five years old, from the interior of the State of Alagoas. Parasitological diagnosis was made by bone marrow aspirate; three (3.37%) patients died, 12 (13.48%) had adverse reactions and treatment was changed to amphotericin B, and 74 (83.14%) were cured. Changes that led to replacing Glucantime were persistent fever, jaundice, rash, bleeding and cyanosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the study, 89 patients hospitalized for VL were analyzed: 74 were healed, 12 were replaced by amphotericin B treatment and three died. Most of them were under five years old, male and came from the interior. The dosage and duration of treatment with Glucantime were consistent with that advocated by the Ministry of Health. Persistence of fever, jaundice, rash, cyanosis and bleeding were the reactions that led the physician to modify treatment. No change was observed in blood pressure before and after treatment. This study demonstrated the work of a hospital, a reference in the treatment of leishmaniasis, which has many patients demanding its services in this area. It demonstrates that this disease is still important today, and needs to be addressed properly to prevent injury and death due to the disease.
authors: Specialist in Health Sciences from the University of Health Sciences of Alagoas-UNCISAL, University Center Cesmac.
authors: Lindon Johoson Diniz
authors: LJ
authors: Silveira
authors: PhD in Therapeutic Innovation, Federal University of Pernambuco-UFPE.
authors: Thiago José Matos
authors: TJ
authors: Rocha
authors: PhD in Medicine (Pulmonology) Federal University of São Paulo, Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo.
authors: Sandra Aparecida
authors: SA
authors: Ribeiro
authors: PhD in Tropical Medicine from the Federal University of Pernambuco, III Associate Professor at the Federal University of Alagoas.
authors: Célia Maria Silva
authors: CM
authors: Pedrosa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D000666:Amphotericin B
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