Randomized single-blinded non-inferiority trial of 7 mg/kg pentamidine isethionate versus 4 mg/kg pentamidine isethionate for cutaneous leishmaniaisis in Suriname.

Background: Standard treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Suriname entails three injections of pentamidine isethionate (PI) 4 mg/kg per injection in 7 days (7 day regimen). Compliance to treatment is low and may contribute to increasing therapy failure. A 3 day regimen, including 2 injections of 7 mg/kg in 3 days may increase compliance.

Evaluation of treatment with pentamidine for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Suriname.

Background: In Suriname, pentamidine isethionate (PI) is the only drug available for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Recently, local dermatologists have observed an increase in CL patients not responding adequately to the standard doses.

Methods: In this study, patient compliance to PI treatment was assessed, and its efficacy was evaluated by comparing the clinical criteria and parasitologic load in week 3 of treatment.

HLA-linked genetic control of host response to Mycobacterium leprae.

Non-random parental HLA-haplotype segregation is demonstrated in siblings with leprosy. A new method is described for the statistical analysis of non-random segregation among sibships of different sizes. Sibs with the same type of leprosy show a significant excess of identical HLA haplotypes.