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The treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) may be complicated by drug toxicity or intolerance, and by drug resistance. Amphotericin B (AmB) is effective, but its use is limited by toxicity: renal impairment, anaemia, fever, malaise, and hypokalaemia are common. Liposomes have been proposed as an effective way to target drugs at macrophages, which are the cells infected in visceral leishmaniasis. In animals AmB incorporated into liposomes is highly effective against experimental leishmaniasis, with low toxicity. This report is of the successful treatment of a patient with multiply drug-resistant visceral leishmaniasis with a commercially prepared formulation of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) ('AmBisome', Vestar, San Dimas, California, USA). We also report, for comparison, a patient treated with conventional AmB, and preliminary studies in mice comparing the two agents.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Lancet

Publication Date

04/05/1991

Volume

337

Pages

1061 - 1062

Keywords

Amphotericin B, Animals, Drug Administration Schedule, Drug Carriers, Drug Resistance, Humans, Infant, Leishmania donovani, Leishmaniasis, Visceral, Liposomes, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Middle Aged