Cutaneous leishmaniasis in British troops from Belize.

The medical records of 306 British soldiers in whom a clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis had been made following a tour of duty in Belize were analysed. Parasitological confirmation of the diagnosis was established in 187 cases; leishmania were cultured in 117 cases and Leishman-Donovan bodies were identified histologically in a further 70 cases. Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis was identified in 78 cases and Leishmania mexicana mexicana in a further 29 cases. Seventy-one per cent of patients had a single lesion which, in most cases, occurred on the exposed extremities. The mean diameter of the ulcers was 14.4 mm. Treatment with sodium stibogluconate was effective. Two regimens were used, consisting of either 600-800 mg daily given initially for 10 days, or 600 mg b.d. given initially for 14 days. Of those allocated to the lower dose regimen 48.5% were cured after the initial 10-day course, and ultimately the ulcers of 93% of patients healed following more prolonged treatment at this dose. Of those allocated to the higher dose regimen 63.9% were cured after the initial 14-day course and ultimately the ulcers of all patients healed after more prolonged treatment at this dose. A transient leucopenia and a rise in liver enzymes were noted during treatment, and these changes were dose-dependent. No cases of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis were encountered.