Cure of antimony-unresponsive Indian visceral leishmaniasis with amphotericin B lipid complex

J Infect Dis. 1996 Mar;173(3):762-5. doi: 10.1093/infdis/173.3.762.

Abstract

Twenty-one Indian patients with visceral leishmaniasis who did not respond to or relapsed after 28-60 days of pentavalent antimony therapy were treated with amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC). Five infusions (3 mg/kg each) given every second day over 9 days (total dose, 15 mg/kg) resulted in a 100% apparent cure response. In 4 other patients who had not responded to antimony, apparent cure was also induced by ABLC given 3 mg/kg a day 5 consecutive days (total dose, 15 mg/kg). Fever and chills developed routinely during the initial 2-h infusions; these reactions were tolerated and diminished with successive infusions. Six months after treatment, all 25 patients were healthy, had parasite-free bone marrow aspirates, and were considered cured. ABLC is effective short-course therapy for kala-azar patients who do not respond to conventional antimony treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Amphotericin B / adverse effects
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate / therapeutic use*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Fever / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • India
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Lipids / administration & dosage
  • Liposomes
  • Male

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Lipids
  • Liposomes
  • Amphotericin B
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate