This study compared the efficacies of two N-methylglucomine antimoniate (MA) dose regimens for treating macaques with Leishmania braziliensis-induced chronic skin disease. Whereas all animals treated with the full dose (20 mg MA/kg/day) were cured, 50% of the monkeys receiving a low-dose regimen (5 mg MA/kg/day) relapsed. The antimony concentrations in macaque plasma and tissue samples were greater in the full-dose group than in that receiving a subtherapeutic MA regimen. Our data also suggest the presence of drug-induced hepatic pathology.
Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, IOC/Fiocruz, Pavilhão Leônidas Deane, Sala 509, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. grimaldi@ioc.fiocruz.br
