Intralesional injection of 2% zinc sulfate solution in the treatment of acute old world cutaneous leishmaniasis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Abstract	Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown inhibitory effects of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on Leishmania parasites. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of intralesional injections of 2% ZnSO4 solution with meglumine antimonate (Glucantime) in the treatment of acute Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Seventy-two patients with CL lesions less than 8 weeks were recruited in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial in an area endemic for Leishmania major after giving written informed consent. They were treated with 6 weekly intralesional injections of either drug. Among 36 patients with 53 lesions treated with ZnSO4 and 36 patients with 53 lesions treated with Glucantime, 13 patients with 19 lesions and 22 patients with 31 lesions completed the trial, respectively. Inadequacy of treatment was the main reason for drop-out in 12 (33.3%) and 2 (5.5%) patients in ZnSO4 and Glucantime groups, respectively (P < .05). Complete re-epithelialization was observed in 2 (10.5%) and 19 (61.3%) lesions 1 week after the end of treatment in the ZnSO4 and Glucantime groups, respectively (P < .05). In conclusion a 6-week course of weekly intralesional injections of 2% ZnSO4 solution was less effective than Glucantime in the treatment of acute Old World CL.
Authors	Alireza Firooz, Alireza Khatami, Ali Khamesipour, Mansour Nassiri-Kashani, Fereydoun Behnia, Mohammadali Nilforoushzadeh, Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi, Yahya Dowlati
Journal	Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) 2005 Jan-Feb Vol. 4 Issue 1 Pg. 73-9 ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
PMID	15696988 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References	Astringents Meglumine Zinc Sulfate
Topics	Adolescent Adult Astringents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use) Double-Blind Method Drug Therapy, Combination Female Humans Injections Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous (drug therapy) Male Meglumine (administration & dosage, therapeutic use) Zinc Sulfate (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)

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