Intralesional chloroquine in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Abstract

Background Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in certain areas of Pakistan .Thisstudy was carried out to determine the efficacy of intralesional chloroquine in CL.Patients and methods CL patients with single lesion presenting to Leishmaniasis clinic ofTehsil Headquarter Hospital, Sadda from 1st December, 2003 to 30thMarch, 2004 andsubsequently to outpatient department of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, wereincluded in the study. The patients were diagnosed clinically and by laboratory confirmationof parasites in a Giemsa – stained smear prepared from the lesion. All important clinicaldetails were recorded on a specially designed pro forma and patients were registered for thepurpose of treatment and a card was issued to them for subsequent visits and follow up.Twelve atients were treated with intralesional chloroquine thrice weekly for three weeks.Results All patients were declared cured on the basis of clinical and pathological criteria at 7weeks (4 weeks after the completion of therapy). No adverse effects were observed.Conclusion Intralesional chloroquine was found to be safe and cost-effective therapy forsingle lesion of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Intralesional chloroquine was used for the first timein the treatment of CL.