BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis remains an endemic disease in several brazilian regions. The parasite’ survival in macrophages is due to a membrane K+/H+-ATPase that can be inhibited by omeprazole. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate omeprazole’s efficacy preventing the development of cutaneous leishmaniasis in hamsters. METHODS: Eighteen hamsters were divided in 3 groups: the L group received an inoculation of L. brasiliensis on right paw, the O group received daily 0,4mg omeprazole subcutaneously, and L+O group received both omeprazole and the inocule. The study was performed in 42 days, and the measurements of the diameter of paws were done weekly. At the end of the study was carried out a smear to verify the presence of parasites. RESULTS: Hamsters fitted in L and L+O groups have developed cutaneous leishmaniasis’ lesions, there were ulcerations in 2 hamsters from L group and 1 from L+O group. At the end of the study, the vitality and mobility of animals from L group were less prominent than L+O and O groups. Diameters of inoculated paws in L and L+O groups were significantly larger in comparison to begin of the study (p<0,05). There were no statistical difference between diameters of the paws from L and L+O groups at the end of study (p0,05). Parasites were detected at microscopic smears of lesions from both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hamsters’ cutaneous lesions due to Leishmania sp. inoculation couldn’t be prevented by omeprazole, using this protocol.
Leishmania brasiliensis; Leishmaniasis; Omeprazole
