Response to treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with intralesional chloroquine vs intralesional meglumine antimoniate

Background In Pakistan, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is mostly caused by Leishmania major. For simple lesions which are few in number and where there is no risk of disfigurement or joint mobility restriction, topical application or local treatment e.g. intralesional antimony compounds are valuable. Objective To compare the effect of intralesional chloroquine with meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of CL. Patients and methods Patients and methods In this quasi experimental study, 60 patients of CL with 1 to 3 lesions and aged 3years were divided into 2 treatment groups to receive either intralesional chloroquine (treatment group) or meglumine antimoniate (control group). Both drugs were used 1cc per cm2 of lesion, once weekly for 8 weeks (8 injections). 8 more injections were given to those who showed partial response. Results Both treatments showed 100% response; however, greater number of injections was required with meglumine antimoniate (p 0.05). Both drugs were well tolerated. Conclusion Intralesional chloroquine appears to be an effective, safe and cheap alternative to meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of CL.