Pentamidine isethionate as treatment and secondary prophylaxis for disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis during HIV infection: case report

J Chemother. 2001 Dec;13(6):653-7. doi: 10.1179/joc.2001.13.6.653.

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is emerging as a common and serious opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients in endemic areas (such as Mediterranean countries), and may occur with various clinical presentations, ranging from typical visceral forms to atypical cases, including cutaneous disease. Although pentavalent antimony compounds have been the mainstay of antileishmanial treatment for half a century, new drugs seem today reliable, including liposomal amphotericin B and pentamidine isethionate. However, the most effective therapy is still unknown. An HIV-infected i.v. drug abuser patient with a very uncommon disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis, following an initial visceral disease, is described. Primary and recurrent visceral forms of protozoan infection have been treated with liposomal amphotericin B, while pentamidine isethionate was successfully employed as treatment for subsequent cutaneous relapse and as secondary prophylaxis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Pentamidine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Pentamidine