High-Dose Oral Fluconazole Therapy Effective for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Due to Leishmania (Vianna) braziliensis

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 53; no. 7; pp. 693 - 695
• Main Authors: Sousa, Anastácio Q., Frutuoso, Mércia S., Moraes, Elisabete A., Pearson, Richard D., Pompeu, Margarida M. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-10-2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adverse effects; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antifungal agents; Antimony; Antiprotozoal Agents - administration & dosage; Antiprotozoal Agents - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; BRIEF REPORT; Child; Child, Preschool; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Dosage; Drug dosages; Drug therapy; Female; Fluconazole - administration & dosage; Fluconazole - adverse effects; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Leishmania braziliensis; Leishmania braziliensis - drug effects; Leishmania braziliensis - isolation & purification; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - parasitology; Leshmaniasis; Lesions; Male; Medical cures; Medical schools; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Middle Aged; Parasitic diseases; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Protozoa; Protozoal diseases; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Kinetoplastida; Leishmania braziliensis; Protozoa; Skin disease; Protozoal disease; Fluconazole; Azole derivatives; Oral administration; Parasitosis; Infection; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Antifungal agent; Triazole derivatives; High dose
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir496

We report for the first time the successful use of fluconazole to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania braziliensis. We used escalating doses from 5 to 8 mg/kg per day. At a dose of 5 mg/kg per day, 75% patients were cured, and at 8 mg/kg per day, the cure rate was 100%. Fluconazole was well tolerated.