Back to Search
Start Over
Novel Low-Cost Thermotherapy for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Peru
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; May2013, Vol. 7 Issue 5, p1-9, 9p, 2 Color Photographs, 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Thermotherapy is an accepted alternative therapy for new-world cutaneous leishmaniasis, but current heat-delivery modalities are too costly to be made widely available to endemic populations. We adapted a low-cost heat pack named the HECT-CL device that delivers safe, reliable, and renewable conduction heat. 25 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis completed treatment with the device at an initial temperature of 52°C±2°C for 3 minutes to each lesion, repeated daily for 7 days, and were followed up for 6 months by direct observation. The overall definitive clinical cure rate was 60%. Concurrently, 13 patients meeting minimally significant exclusion criteria received identical compassionate use treatment with a cumulative definitive cure rate of 68.4%, 75% for those who had experienced CL relapse after prior antimonial treatment. Therapy was well tolerated. Reversible second-degree burns occurred in two patients and no bacterial super-infections were observed. HECT-CL is a promising treatment and deserves further study to verify its safety and efficacy as adjuvant and mono- therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352727
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 88371846
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002196