Allopurinol has been shown to inhibit the in vitro growth of leishmaniasis Donovani (1). Recently allopurinol has also been reported effective in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with a response rate of 14 out of 16 treated cases (2). The purpose of the present study is to compare the clinical effect of allopurinol versus pentostam at fixed dosages (30 ml/kg and 10 mg/kg daily for 30 days respectively) in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. 16 patients were included. 7 patients received allopurinol and 9 pentostam treatment. The clinical effect was monitored using a scoring system. 5 parameters were included each gave 1 point for improvement and 0 point for no improvement. In an average the patients in the allopurinol group scored 1 1/7 point and the pentostam group 3 7/9 point within the first month of treatment. The difference is significant (p < 0.01 Wilcoxon test).Conclusion: Although allopurinol improve the clinical condition of the patients to some extent pentostam treatment was superior in that respect.(1) J.J.Marr: Purine Metabolism in Man - IV, Plenum Press, New York, Editor: C.H.M.M. Bruym, H.A.Simmonds & M.M.Muller 1984, p. 231-237.(2) T.K.Jha: Transaction of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol. 77, 204-207, 1983.
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