The efficacy of 5% trichloroacetic acid cream in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions.

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Iran. Based on the results of our previous study, this study was designed as a pilot trial to evaluate the effect of 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) cream in the treatment of leishmaniasis lesions.

METHODS

16 patients with positive smear for leishmaniasis were randomly selected for treatment with 5% TCA cream, twice a day for 8 weeks or up to complete healing of the lesions. Scar size was measured 6 months after complete epithelization of the lesions.

RESULTS

Mean area of the lesions was 38.81+ 81.9 mm(2) before treatment and 3.6 + 9.1 mm(2) at 6 month follow up period. Complete cure was achieved in 1 patient (6.3%) at week 2, 13 patients (86.7%) at week 7, and in all patients at week 8. There was no serious adverse reaction in none of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Decreasing the scar size and the low cost are two promising aspects in introducing 5% TCA cream as a potential alternative for intralesional glucantime in the treatment of CL. Considering the self limiting nature of the disease, this effect should be assessed further through a double blind randomized controlled trial.