Rifampicin in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A study is described which aimed at assessing the efficacy of rifampicin in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. A total of thirteen patients suffering from this condition were admitted to the study and were given rifampicin 600 mg daily. Three patients dropped out due to reasons unconnected with the trial and one patient left when the lesions improved appreciably and continued treatment abroad. The remaining patients continued under treatment until clinical resolution was attained, and this occurred in a period of one to four months. The author was impressed by the marked clinical resolution and the lack of scarring and side-effects, and recommends that further trials be carried out in the endemic areas where more cases can readily be found, treated and ovserved for longer periods of time than in this study.