Comparison between intralesional Glucantime plus steroid and Glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by various
Leishmaniasis species and can result in a disfiguring scar. Hence, effective treatment
is mandatory for prevention of the disease sequellae. The goal of this study was
assessment and comparison of intralesional Glucantime plus steroid with intralesional
Glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 62 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were
divided randomly into 2 groups. 32 cases were treated with Glucantime pluse steroid
while other 30 received only Glucantime. In Glucantime plus steroid group, 0.5
cc/cm2 Glucantime (48.5 mgr) plus 0.1 cc/cm2 Triamcinolone Acetonide (4 mgr)
were injected intradermally, whereas in the other group, Glucantime (48.5 mgr) was
injected intradermally. Six courses of injection was applied weekly. After Fulfilling
treatment, the lesions were evaluated for size, erythema and induration. Data was
analyzed by t-test and differences were considered significant with P<0.05.
Results: Clinical improvement mean scores were 5.6 (62%) and 5.2 (57%) after 6
weeks in the Glucantime plus steroid and Glucantime alone groups, respectively. The
difference was not statistically significant. More satisfactory results and higher scores
were noted in lesions with less than 4 months duration in comparison with lesions of
longer than 4 months in Glucantime plus steroid group.
Conclusion: Both treatment modalities are not considerably different in total, but
in lesions with less than 4 months duration, the difference is noticeable, obvious
which might be the consequence of diminished edema, erythema and induration
following steroid therapy.