Introduction & Aim: Leishmaniasis encompasses a spectrum of chronic infections in humans in which organisms are found within phagolysosomes of mononuclear phagocytes. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is divided into Old World and New World, cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica. Aminoglycosides which used in the first degree to treat infections caused by bacteria also tried as a new therapeutic option for parasitic infestation. Proliferation rate and protein synthesis in the promastigote stage of the parasite are inhibited by aminoglycoside like streptomycin. The main aim is to estimate the effectiveness of intralesional streptomycin as new antileishmanial agent.
Method: In total 46 patients involved with 109 lesions, 63 lesions (57.8%) were treated with intralesional injection of streptomycin after dilution with distilled water (20%) in group-1 and 46 lesions (42.2%) used as a control in group-2.
Results: In group-1 clinical cure was achieved in 40 lesions (83.3%). Moderate response was noticed in 8 lesions (16.7%). In group-2, none of the remaining 39 control lesions shows moderate, marked or total clearance degree of response. Only 3 lesions (7.7%) showed a slight degree of response and one lesion (2.7%) with mild degree.
Conclusion: Intralesional streptomycin 20% solution lead purpose of its use as new therapeutic option for skin lesions of leishmaniasis.
