Publication
Title
American tegumentary leishmaniasis : is antimonial treatment outcome related to parasite drug susceptibility?
Author
Abstract
Background. Antimonials are the first drug of choice for the treatment of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL); however, their efficacy is not predictable, and this may be linked to parasite drug resistance. We aimed to characterize the in vitro antimony susceptibility of clinical isolates of Peruvian patients with ATL who were treated with sodium stibogluconate and to correlate this in vitro phenotype with different treatment outcomes. Methods. Thirty-seven clinical isolates were obtained from patients with known disease and treatment histories. These isolates were typed, and the susceptibility of intracellular amastigotes to pentavalent (SbV) and trivalent (SbIII) antimonials was determined. Results. We observed 29 SbV-resistant isolates among 4 species of subgenus Viannia, most of which exhibited primary resistance; isolates resistant only to SbIII; and 3 combinations of in vitro phenotypes: (1) parasites sensitive to both drugs, (2) parasites resistant to both drugs, and (3) parasites resistant to SbV only (the majority of isolates fell into this category). There was no correlation between in vitro susceptibility to both antimonials and the clinical outcome of therapy. Conclusion. Antimony insensitivity might occur in a stepwise fashion (first to SbV and then to SbIII). Our data question the definition of true parasite resistance to antimonials. Further studies of treatment efficacy should apply standardized protocols and definitions and should also consider host factors.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The journal of infectious diseases. - Chicago, Ill.
Publication
Chicago, Ill. : 2006
ISSN
0022-1899
DOI
10.1086/507710
Volume/pages
194 :8 (2006) , p. 1168-1175
ISI
000240548500019
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.08.2011
Last edited 15.02.2023
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