Clinical and immunological evidence that low doses of pentavalent antimonials are effective in maintaining long‐term cure of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis cutaneous lesions

Abstract

DEAR EDITOR, Pentavalent antimonials (Sb V ) remain an effective therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), but they cause serious adverse effects. 1 Low-dose therapies have proven safe for CL caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with cure rates varying from 80% to 100%. [2][3][4] However, the long-term effectiveness of low-dose antimonial therapy is not well known. Our goal was to determine whether low-dose therapies are as effective as regular doses for the long-term curative maintenance of CL.