The use of azythromycin and N-methyl glucamine for the treatment of cutaneous Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in C57BL6 mice.

BACKGROUND

The first choice treatment for cutaneous Leishmaniasis is N-methyl glucamine: it has high toxicity, requires parenteral administration and cure is not always reached. Azythromycin showed in vitro action and controversial results in humans with the disease.

OBJECTIVE

To verify if the association of N-methyl-glucamine - azythromycin is more effective than N-methyl-glucamine alone for the treatment of experimental Leishmaniasis.

METHODS

Twenty-five C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with L. (L.) amazonensis strain and divided into two groups. One group was treated with 400 mgSbV/kg/day of N-methyl glucamine and 200mg/kg/day of azythromycin for 20 days and the other group received the same dose of N-methyl glucamine alone during the same period of time. Clinical and parasitological evaluations were submitted to statistical analyses.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference in clinical analysis, in amastigotes investigation and in cultures. There were significant differences in cultures using limiting dilution, which showed lower efficacy of the association N-methyl glucamine -azythromycin.

CONCLUSION

N-methyl glucamine-azythromycin association was not more effective than N-methyl glucamine alone.