Erysipeloid cutaneous leishmaniasis: treatment with a new, topical, pure herbal extract.

Fourteen consecutive cases of erysipeloid cutaneous leishmaniasis were seen and evaluated. There were 13 females and one male patient with a mean age of 59 years. Diagnosis was based on clinical grounds and the presence of amastigotes in the lesions. Patients were divided into acute and chronic groups, with chronicity being defined as a disease duration of more than a year. All cases were treated with a fresh preparation of a herbal mixture, namely "Z-HE". The paste was applied once daily for 5 consecutive days and thereafter every 2 weeks, as needed, for a maximum period of 3 months. Two patients didn't appear for their regular follow up, the remaining 12 cases were followed up for more than a year after termination of therapy. Eleven (92%) of patients had complete healing in a matter of 1 to 7 months with no relapse after 12 months of follow up. In spite of a successful initial clinical response, the remaining one patient with the acute type of ECL had a subsequent relapse. Otherwise the acute and chronic cases had similar responses to therapy and outcome. No drug related side effect was noted. The high success rate, low cost, ease of preparation, and lack of toxicity makes "Z-HE" a promising new drug. Further investigations are needed to illuminate its mechanism(s) of action and also controlled trials are recommended to confirm its efficacy.