The Medical Journal of Basrah University

Abstract

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a vector born protozoal infection. Cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak occurred during 2014 in Erbil governorate, Kurdistan-Iraq. First choice of its treatment is pentavalent antimony. Other options of treatment are available. Azithromycin is used as trial to be effective but human studies are lacking.
Patients and Methods: Prospective randomized open labeled interventional study conducted on 63 patients. The sample divided in to two groups. Group A received only intra-lesional sodium stibogluconate and the group B received combination therapy of intra-lesional sodium stibogluconate and azithromycin 500 mg orally. Follow up done for lesions’ healing at 6th week and at the end of 8th week of therapy.
Results: Nodular lesions were dominant morphology among the Lesions (71.5%). Lesions mostly were ulcerated (59%). Mean duration of lesions were 3 ± 1.1 and 2.4 ± 1.8 weeks in patients of group A and B respectively. At 6th week in patients of group A, there were 13(41.9%) patients with complete healing of the lesions, while in group B it was found in 23(71.8%) patients. At the end of 8th week group A patients showed complete healing in 21(67.7%) patients while in patients of group B complete healing found in 27(84.3%).
Conclusions: Results of this study concludes that combination therapy of azithromycin and intra-lesional sodium stibogluconate provides more therapeutic effect if compared with the effect of intra-lesional sodium stibogluconate alone.
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