Dynamics of parasite clearance in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients treated with miltefosine

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2011 Dec;5(12):e1436. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001436. Epub 2011 Dec 13.

Abstract

Parasite loads were quantified in repeated skin biopsies from lesions of 2 patients with Old-World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania major and L. infantum during and after treatment with miltefosine. Miltefosine induced a rapid therapeutic effect on both infections with an initial decline of parasites of ∼1 log/week for the L. major infection. These observations illustrate the usability of quantifying parasite loads in skin lesions as a pharmacodynamic measure and quantitative descriptor of drug effect for CL supporting clinical assessment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leishmania infantum / isolation & purification*
  • Leishmania major / isolation & purification*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasite Load
  • Phosphorylcholine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phosphorylcholine / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylcholine / therapeutic use
  • Skin / parasitology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • miltefosine