Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in Ethiopia causes severe dermatological mutilations. Forms that require systemic treatment are complicated localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (cLCL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). The clinical presentation of CL depends on various factors including parasite species, infection history and differences in the immune response. National guidelines recommend equally all drugs that are also used for visceral leishmaniasis treatment. Sodium stibogluconate (SSG) is one of these recommended medications. However, dermatologists in Ethiopia also use a combination of SSG and Allopurinol for treatment of complicated cutaneous leishmaniasis.~Outcomes of patients receiving SSG and Allopurinol combination have never been documented systematically in Ethiopia. Therefore, it is not known how effective this combination is. This study will provide evidence to help clinicians make the best choice regarding treatment for complicated CL cases. Due to diversity in host-pathogen interactions across the different CL forms, early immunological correlates associated with treatment responsiveness and unresponsiveness could help treatment recommendation and provide us with the basis to develop new diagnostic and treatment strategies.~This study aims to document treatment outcomes of patients with cLCL, MCL, and DCL receiving systemic treatment using SSG and Allopurinol combination within a routine care setting located in a highly endemic area in Ethiopia.
Outcomes of patients receiving SSG and Allopurinol combination have never been documented systematically in Ethiopia. Therefore, it is not known how effective this combination is. This study will provide evidence to help clinicians make the best choice regarding treatment for complicated cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases. Due to diversity in host-pathogen interactions across the different CL forms, early immunological correlates associated with treatment responsiveness and unresponsiveness could help treatment recommendation and provide us with the basis to develop new diagnostic and treatment strategies.~This study aims to document treatment outcomes of patients with cLCL, MCL, and DCL receiving systemic treatment using SSG and Allopurinol combination within a routine care setting located in a highly endemic area in Ethiopia.