The efficacy of 5% trichloroacetic acid cream in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Iran. Based on the results of our previous study, this study was designed as a pilot trial to evaluate the effect of 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) cream in the treatment of leishmaniasis lesions.

Methods: 16 patients with positive smear for leishmaniasis were randomly selected for treatment with 5% TCA cream, twice a day for 8 weeks or up to complete healing of the lesions. Scar size was measured 6 months after complete epithelization of the lesions.

Results: Mean area of the lesions was 38.81+ 81.9 mm(2) before treatment and 3.6 + 9.1 mm(2) at 6 month follow up period. Complete cure was achieved in 1 patient (6.3%) at week 2, 13 patients (86.7%) at week 7, and in all patients at week 8. There was no serious adverse reaction in none of the patients.

Conclusion: Decreasing the scar size and the low cost are two promising aspects in introducing 5% TCA cream as a potential alternative for intralesional glucantime in the treatment of CL. Considering the self limiting nature of the disease, this effect should be assessed further through a double blind randomized controlled trial.