Therapeutic options for cutaneous leishmaniasis

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 97 - 104
• Main Authors: Mahajan, Vikram K., Sharma, Nand Lal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oslo Informa UK Ltd 2007; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Amphotericin B; Amphotericin B - therapeutic use; Antimony - therapeutic use; Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; cutaneous leishmaniasis; dapsone; Dapsone - therapeutic use; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; imidazoles; Imidazoles - therapeutic use; Infectious diseases; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - pathology; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - therapy; Leshmaniasis; Medical sciences; miltefosine; Parasitic diseases; Protozoal diseases; rifampicin; Rifampin - therapeutic use; sodium stibogluconate; Antineoplastic agent; Skin disease; Protozoal disease; Sulfone; Sodium stibogluconate; Phospholipid; Dapsone; Pharmacotherapy; Review; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Antiprotozoal agent; Antifungal agent; Rifampicin; Imidazole; Antituberculous agent; Protein synthesis inhibitor; Human; Antileprous agent; Parasitosis; Infection; Miltefosine; Antibiotic; Treatment; Amphotericin B; Polyenic compound; Lysophospholipid; Parasiticide; Antibacterial agent; imidazoles
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.1080/09546630601159474

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis occurs worldwide in both old and new world countries with their own endemic foci. Many of those infected often experience a delay in diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Objectives: To review the literature in terms of the various treatment options described for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods: Literature on the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis retrieved by searching Index Medicus, PubMed and IndMed were reviewed. Results and conclusion: Review reveals no uniform pattern or definite guidelines for its therapy. The varied and contradictory experience of different workers further confounds the clinicians involved in the care of these patients. Selection of an appropriate and customized treatment schedule is a discretion the treating clinician has to make.