Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in children with liposomal amphotericin B

J Pediatr. 1997 Aug;131(2):271-7. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(97)70165-3.

Abstract

We used liposomal amphotericin B as first-choice treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in 106 immunocompetent children who acquired the infection in a temperate region of southern Europe (Italy) where Leishmania infantum visceral leishmaniasis is endemic. The aim of the study was to identify the minimum total dose of liposomal amphotericin B needed to cure the infection in children and reduce the period of hospitalization. We conclude that the optimal regimen in immunocompetent children with L. infantum visceral leishmaniasis to be a total dose of 18 mg/kg of liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg per day for 5 days, followed by 3 mg/kg administered as an outpatient regimen on day 10).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Marrow / parasitology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Carriers
  • Electrophoresis
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Infant
  • Isoenzymes / analysis
  • Italy
  • Leishmania infantum / drug effects
  • Leishmania infantum / enzymology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Length of Stay
  • Liposomes
  • Male

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Isoenzymes
  • Liposomes
  • Amphotericin B