Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with Pentostam or cryosurgery.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL.) caused by L. major or L. tropica is endemic in many countries in the Middle East particularly Saudi Arabia. The disease is characterized by spontaneous healing and sterilizing immunity. However, medical treatment is always indicated particularly those due to L. tropica to reduce the reservoir of infection. In this study parasitologically proven patients with CL. were treated with Pentostam (57) or Cryosurgery (38). Both gave satisfactory results. However, the disadvantages of each line were discussed. There is a need for a drug which is cheaper, less toxic, safe, more effective and more easily administered than those currently available.