Intralesional sodium stibogluconate - an effective, safe therapy for localised cutaneous leishmaniasis

Sodium stibogluconate is a widely used leishmanicide. It is a pentavalent antimony compound which can be given intralesionally as well as intramuscularly for cutaneous leishmaniasis. It is safe and effective in preventing disfiguring scar formation of untreated cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A prospective study over 18 months period was carried out to evaluate clinical response to intralesional sodium stibogluconate in patients with localised cutaneous leishmaniasis since 1st January 2006 in the Dermatology Unit, Teaching Hospital Karapitiya. 107 patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with intralesional sodium stibogluconate on D1, D3, D10 and D30. Size of the lesion and side effects were monitored during therapy and followed up for 1 month after therapy. We achieved 97% of overall response rate. Medium duration taken to achieve clinical clearance was 35 days, commonly with 4 doses. None of the patients experienced serious side effects of the therapy during the study period. Intralesional sodium stibogluconate therapy is safe and effective for localized cutaneous leishmaniasis.