Community-based treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis using cryotherapy and miltefosine in Southwest Ethiopia: the way forward?

• Published in: Frontiers in medicine 2023-10, Vol.10, p.1196063-1196063
• Main Authors: van Henten, Saskia, Pareyn, Myrthe, Tadesse, Dagimawie, Kassa, Mekidim, Techane, Mehret, Kinfe, Eyerusalem, Girma, Nigatu, Demeke, Degnet, Mesay, Mebratu, Kassa, Mekibib, Temesgen, Rodas, Shewangizaw, Misgun, Massebo, Fekadu, van Griensven, Johan, Wegayehu, Teklu, Merdekios, Behailu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: decentralization; impavido; Medicine; operational research; patient-reported outcomes; treatment outcomes
• ISSN: 2296-858X; 2296-858X
• DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1196063

BackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common, yet massively underreported skin morbidity in Ethiopia. Most patients never seek treatment, as this is offered only in specialized treatment centers. Early diagnosis and treatment through decentralization is crucial to decrease transmission and to reach the NTD roadmap goals. However, little information is available on outcomes and challenges of community-based treatment initiatives.MethodsA community-based prospective cohort study was conducted in Ochollo. Patients with clinically or microscopy confirmed CL were included. Cryotherapy was (to be) given weekly with at least four sessions for uncomplicated lesions, and miltefosine was given for 4 weeks for complicated lesions. Miltefosine adherence was assessed by counting pill strips. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes (dermatological life quality index and patient-global assessment) were assessed at month 6 (M6).ResultsA total of 107 patients were included, with a median age of 6 years. Two patients refused, and 15 could not be treated as they were too young (90% of their tablets by M1. Among 46 patients treated with cryotherapy, 24 (52.2%) were cured at M6, and 9 (19.6%) had substantial improvement. The cure rate was 16/39 (41.0%) for miltefosine with 28.2% (11/39) substantial improvement. Before treatment, more than half (57.8%) of patients reported that CL did not negatively impact their life, which significantly increased to 95.2% at M6. At this time, 61.7% of patients said their lesion was clear, which was 1% before treatment.ConclusionOur study is the first to identify the challenges and opportunities of miltefosine and cryotherapy for community treatment of CL. Although overall cure rates were lower than expected, patient-reported outcomes were generally positive and quite some patients had good improvement.