The use of intralesionalmetronidazole in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

الملخص EN

Seventy patients (70 lesions, 48 dry, 22 wet) with typical acute cutaneous leishmaniasis in mirjan teaching hospital in Hilla city from January to May, 2004 were included in this project.

Thirty eight (55%) of them were females and thirty two (45%) were males.

Their ages ranged from 1-50 years, 53 patients had few Lesions (1-5 lesions) 75%, 17 patients had multiple lesions above (5 lesions) 25%.

Duration of lesions was 2 weeks - 6 months.

The patients were divided into 3 groups, the first group included 33 patients how were given 1% metronidazole solution intralesionally.

The cure rate was 75% in one to two injections required for complete cure, 1-2 weeks intervals between each injection, 12% in the third injection, 9% in the fourth injection, and 4% in the fifth injection.

Each patient followed up for 6 weeks.

The second group included 20 patients, metronidazole was given orally in a dose of 200 mg, and 3 times daily for 4 weeks, no apparent clinical improvement was observed.

The third group included 17 patients how were given placebo treatment as a control for this study.

No clinical improvement was observed during 6weeks follow up.