A comparison between the efficacy of intralesional injection of 2% zinc sulfate solution with glucantime in the treatment of acute old world cutaneous leishmaniasis: a randomized, doubleblind, controlled clinical trial

Background: Several treatment modalities have been used for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) with various results. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown inhibitory effects of zinc sulfate (ZnS04) on Leishmania parasites. Objective: To compare the efficacy of intralesional injections of 2% ZnS04 solution with meglumine antimonate (Glucantime) in the treatment of acute Old World CL Patients & Methods: Seventy-two patients with CL with a duration of less than 8 weeks were recruited in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial in Isfahan province-an area endemic for Leishmania major-after giving written informed consent. They were treated with 6 weekly intralesional injections of either 2% sterile ZnSO4 solutions or Glucantime prepared in identical vials. The primary outcome measure was complete re-epithelialization of CL lesions