Comparison of the efficacy of weekly vs. twice a week intralesional injections of meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis: a randomized clinical trial

Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, especially when caused by L. tropica, is challenging. Meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®) is used as the standard treatment, but multiple injectiond are necessary. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of weekly intralesional injections with twice weekly injections of Glucantime for the treatment of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). This randomized open clinical trial was conducted, in Bam, Kerman province, Iran. 96 eligible patients according to inclusion and exclusion criteria who were willing to participate were included. The included patients were randomly assigned into two groups, one group treated with weekly intralesional injections of Glucantime® and the other group treated with intralesional Glucantime® twice a week. Type and size of each lesion (induration, ulcer and scar) were recorded weekly. Complete healing was defined as complete re-epithelialization and absence of induration in all lesions and was considered as the primary outcome measure. A total of 48 patients completed the study; complete cure was seen in 24 of 27 (89%) patients who received weekly intralesional MA with a mean duration of healing equals to 70±10 days. Complete cure was seen in 24 of 31 (77%) patients who received intralesional MA twice a week, the mean duration of healing in the latter group was 58±5 days. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.23). It seems that the efficacy of intralesional injections of Glucantime® once a week is similar to efficacy of twice a week Glucantime® injections.