Pentamidine, the drug of choice for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Surinam

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Surinam. The disease was treated until the early 1970s with pentavalent antimony Pentamidine mesylate was introduced by Niemel in 1973 for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Surinam. Materials and methods In this retrospective study, we evaluate the results of treatment with pentamidine mesylate in 235 patients and with pentamidine isethionate in 80 patients. Results In the pentamidine mesylate- and pentamidine isethionate-treated groups, a cure rate (healing without relapse) of nearly 90% was found. Relapses were seen in approximately 10% of patients in both groups. Minor side-effects, such as pain at the injection site, bitter taste, and nausea, were seen with both drugs in about 65% of patients. Complaints of the respiratory tract were seen in less than 10% of patients in the pentamidine isethionate-treated group, but were uncommon in the pentamidine mesylate-treated group. Conclusions Pentamidine mesylate and isethionate have similar safety, efficacy, and side-effect profiles in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Surinam.