Assessment of allopurinol plus meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in patients infected with HIV

J Infect. 1994 May;28(3):255-9. doi: 10.1016/s0163-4453(94)91643-8.

Abstract

We report on 11 patients with HIV infection and visceral leishmaniasis and who were treated with meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol for 3 weeks (six patients) or 4 weeks (five patients). Clinical and parasitological cures were achieved in four of the five patients treated for 4 weeks and in one of the six patients treated for 3 weeks. Only one patient developed a severe maculopapular rash. Allopurinol plus meglumine antimoniate was found to be a safe combination of drugs for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in patients infected with HIV. The optimal length of this treatment is unknown but a course of at least 4 weeks' duration would appear to be necessary for obtaining parasitological cure in most cases.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Allopurinol / administration & dosage
  • Allopurinol / therapeutic use*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Meglumine / administration & dosage
  • Meglumine / therapeutic use*
  • Meglumine Antimoniate
  • Organometallic Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organometallic Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Allopurinol
  • Meglumine
  • Meglumine Antimoniate