Comparison of the Effect of Systemic Glucantime Alone and in Combination with Oral Pentoxifylline in Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Pentoxifylline has been effective in a group of diseases by its immunomodulatory effects and inhibition on TNF-.In the pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, cytokine-TNF has also been shown to be effective. The goal of this study was to show the increased therapeutic efficacy and reduced systemic dose of Glucantime by using oral pentoxifylline.
Intramuscular Glucantime at a dose of 20mg/kg was given to 15 patients(group I) with cutaneous leishmaniasisfor 20 days. The remaining 16 patients (group II) were given 15mg/kg daily intramuscular Glucantime) maximum two ampoule) together with oral pentoxifylline at a dose of 20 mg/kg)maximum 400 mg, three times a day( for 20 days. Lesions results were assessed 90 days after completion of the treatment.
A total of 7 patients in group I and 7 patients in group II had complete remission, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.87). Relative remission was not observed in any of the patients of the first group, while it was seen in 6 patients ofthe second group and the difference was significant (p=0.008). The number of patients without remission (less than 70%) was 8 patients in the first group and 6 patients in the second group without significant difference (p=0.37). The number of lesions with relative remission in group I was zero, and in group II was 1.4±0.7.(PV=0.01)
pentoxifylline in combination with Glucantime with less than standard doses can cause good therapeutic effects especially in those over 60 kg of weight who needs higher doses of Glucantime due to their weight.