Research on Defense Against the Effects of Parasitic Disease. Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Pentostam in the Treatment of Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (MCL)

A study to determine the value of intravenous administration of sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) for treatment of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, involved 16 patients, 9 females and 7 males. The dose was 20 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Thirteen patients completed the full course, while in 3 treatment was interrupted due to adverse side effects, such as cardiac alterations, elevation of transaminases, vomiting, arthralgias and myalgias. Of the 13 patients who completed treatment, ten were healed, and no relapses appeared in follow-up periods of 9-15 months. One was completely healed at the end of treatment and the others healed more slowly; they were considered healed after 6-11 months. (JS)