Clinical-epidemiological characterization, therapeutic response and clinical follow up to up to 13-years of military with mucosal leishmaniasis, Colombia - a retrospective study.

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a chronic infection primarily affecting the oropharynx and nasal lining. In Colombia, ML is an understudied condition. The study described clinical characteristics, response to treatment and safety profile of Colombian patients with ML. Retrospective study of 56 military personnel who had a diagnosis of ML and were treated with meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®). Relapses were followed up to 13 years. Men, mostly between 25 and 50 years (57.1%), from the Amazon (42.8%) or Orinoco regions (23.2%). Initial cure rate was 82.1%. 41.3% of patients required at least two treatments (19.6% due to primary therapeutic failure and 21.7% due to late clinical recurrence (relapse or reinfection). At the end of treatment, platelet count, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and amylase showed statistically significant differences compared to pretreatment values. This study made it possible to characterize the disease in the study population and facilitated understanding of the response to treatment in the Colombian context. In this population, pentavalent antimonials had a significant e relapse rate.