Chemotherapy of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Israel

A 10-yr study involving 244 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients under chemotherapy has investigated the potency of three drugs: 600-1,200 mg/day of rifampicin, taken orally; 200-400 mg/day of ketoconazole, taken orally; and P-ointment, containing 15% methyl-benzethonium chloride in soft white paraffin, applied topically. P-ointment treatment exhibited highest cure rate at 87%, about 13 days after start of treatment. Ketoconazole achieved less effective treatment rate at 70%, 35 days after start of treatment. Rifampicin showed 33% cure rate, 32 days after start of treatment. P-ointment appeared the only effective treatment against the parasitic disease.