A Review on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Safeetha Shamsudheen
Department of Pharmaceutics, National College of Pharmacy, Manassery, Mukkam Post, Kozhikode, Kerala -673602, India.
Vimal Mathew *
Vinayaka Missions College of Pharmacy, Yercaud, Ghat Road, Kondappanaickenpatti, Salem, Tamil Nadu- 636008, India.
B. S. Venkateswarlu
Vinayaka Missions College of Pharmacy, Yercaud, Ghat Road, Kondappanaickenpatti, Salem, Tamil Nadu- 636008, India.
Risvana Iqubal
Department of Pharmaceutics, National College of Pharmacy, Manassery, Mukkam Post, Kozhikode, Kerala -673602, India.
Mariya Palathingal
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National College of Pharmacy, Manassery, Mukkam Post, Kozhikode, Kerala -673602, India.
T. V. Ashira Ali
Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National College of Pharmacy, Manassery, Mukkam Post, Kozhikode, Kerala -673602, India.
Smiya Mathew
Department of Pharmaceutics, St. Joseph’s College of Pharmacy, Dharmagiri College Campus, Naipunya Road, Cherthala, Alapuzha, 688524, India.
D. Uma Maheswari
Vinayaka Missions College of Pharmacy, Yercaud, Ghat Road, Kondappanaickenpatti, Salem, Tamil Nadu- 636008, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by flagellated protozoans belonging to the genus Leishmania. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies called phlebotomine that causes a variety of skin lesions. It has a wide range of clinical manifestations that are influenced by a number of unknown parasite and host factors. The disease can take many forms, ranging from self-limited and even self-healing cutaneous manifestations to fatal systemic disease. The standard treatment is pentavalent antimony. Pentavalent antimonials are the cornerstones of cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment, with novel oral and topical options on the horizon. Many lesions heal on their own and does not need to be treated. Antimonials are likely to cause a high number of reversible side effects. Other medications used in treatment include amphotericin B, pentamidine isethionate, paromomycin and antifungals. Although the cutaneous version of the disease is frequently self-limiting, it can leave considerable scarring and lead to more invasive mucocutaneous disease. As a result, treatment to prevent these problems may be considered. In endemic regions, leishmania parasites are frequently diagnosed clinically and, if possible, by microscopic inspection of lesion biopsy samples to visually confirm the aetiology. In non-endemic nations, the use of more advanced medical procedures that allow for species identification is mainly limited to research or therapeutic contexts. The application, use and adverse effects of drugs for systemic and topical treatment are also described.
Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, diagnosis, treatment, pentavalent antimony compounds