Recurrences of Leishmaniasis in children treated with Sodium Estibogluconate

Leishmaniasis is a frequent problem in some regions in Bolivia and availability of treatment is scarce. Between 2007 and 2008, John Snow, Inc., via the USAID-funded ¨Management and Quality in Health Project¨, and in coordination with the Ministry of Health, implemented an intervention using Sodium Estibogluconate as the drug of choice for Leishmaniasis treatment.

Activities were developed by a team of specialists and included: diagnosis, timely treatment, provision of commodities and medication. Additionally, follow up was conducted via home visits and IEC activities with the population seeking services.

Results from 735 people treated showed that 14.5% of the patients were children of less than five years of age. The proportion of recurrences in this group was 10.4%, while in adult populations it was 5.4%. In all cases, the treatment was verified as complete.

Sodium Estibogluconate, even in programs with supervised treatment, has a high incidence of recurrences in children less than five years of age. As a result, use of Sodium Estibogluconate in this age group should be reviewed and effectiveness of other medicines should be compared.