Cumulative cardiac toxicity of sodium stibogluconate and amphotericin B in treatment of kala-azar

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011 Feb;30(2):180-1. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181f55843.

Abstract

Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis is a disseminated protozoal infection caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania (Leishmania donovani in India). Conventional therapy for visceral leishmaniasis continues to be pentavalent antimony (sodium antimony gluconate [SAG]). Amphotericin B is widely used for SAG-unresponsive cases and sometimes even as a first-line drug, especially in endemic areas. With the conventional regimen of SAG, cardiac toxicity has been reported in 8% to 17% of cases with 5% to 7% of them having fatal toxicity. Cardiac toxicity is uncommon with amphotericin B with only few isolated reports. We report some patients with kala-azar in whom coadministration of SAG and amphotericin B led to arrhythmia and sudden death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Amphotericin B / adverse effects*
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate / administration & dosage
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate / adverse effects*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • India
  • Leishmania donovani / isolation & purification
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Male

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate