The therapeutic effect of and adverse events associated with topical use of 10% paromomycin gel on cutaneous leishmaniasis are described. Fifteen patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: contraindication for the use of meglumine antimoniate, positive Montenegro skin test and up to four ulcerated lesions. The formula was prescribed twice a day for 20 days. Fourteen patients were available for the therapeutic outcome evaluation. The cure rate was 21.4% (3/14); 50% improved as far as complete epithelialization; and the failure rate was 28.6%. Nine patients who did not initially present cure were retreated. Eight received a new series of topical paromomycin and one was treated with meglumine antimoniate. Two patients did not receive any new treatment and had continuous slow improvement. Five out of the eight patients retreated with topical paromomycin achieved clinical cure, and three presented failure, including one patient who had shown any improvement with the first treatment. For 53.3% of the patients, the adverse events were mild and local and never led to treatment suspension.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Leishmania braziliensis; Paromomycin; Topical treatment
