THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF KETOCONAZOLE IN VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS

This study was an open evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Ketoco nazole, 15 mg/kg/day orally for 3 weeks in 7 evaluable patients with V isceral Leishmaniasis in Kenya, Of all the seven patients who received ketoconazole, none had appreciable clearance of parasites from the sp lenic aspirate smears that were microscopically examined, All the sple nic aspirate cultures done on these patients in the three weeks remain ed positive for leishmania parasites, Splenic sizes of these patients generally remained unchanged throughout the study period, The mean hae moglobin at the start of treatment was not different from that at the end of treatment. Liver function tests throughout treatment remained u nchanged, i.e. within normal limits. It is concluded that Ketoconazole , 15 mg/kg/day orally given to these patients was not effective as an antileishmania drug although there was a one log drop in the parasite load. However, no serious side effect were noted in all of the patient s during treatment.