The treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with oral dehydroemetine

47 cases of oriental sore due to Leishmania tropica diagnosed on clinical, microscopical criteria and by culture were treated by oral dehydroemetine resinate (Mebadin-Glaxo), or DHE HCl (Roche). The former was given in doses of 4·5 mg. per kg. daily, with a total dose varying between 840 mg. and 7 grammes according to weight and age. Infants treated with the resinate were given the contents of capsules emptied in milk or other sweet juice and given in divided doses over the day. No side effects or complaints were reported. Older children and adults were given either the resinate or hydrochloride. The latter was given in doses of 3 mg. per kg., and 18 received the tablets of 25 mg. with few side effects similar to those of the resinate and with a total dose of 4·5 grammes. Treatment covered a period of 3 weeks to 3 months according to regularity of attendance. It was possible to follow 32 patients, of whom 23 (67% cure rate) showed complete healing of the lesions, with imperceptible undepressed scarring within a period of 4–8 weeks of the start of treatment.