Successful treatment of ocular leishmaniasis.

PURPOSE

To report successful treatment of a case of ocular leishmaniasis with combined stibogluconate and allupurinol.

METHOD

A 32-year-old physician developed a non-tender reddish chalazion like lesion in his right lower lid, associated with conjunctivitis and nodular episcleritis. Biopsy of the lesion in his eyelid and conjunctiva disclosed a dense inflammatory response including histiocytes containing typical leishmania organisms.

RESULT

Therapy with stibogluconate, both intralesional and intramuscular, was initiated with some improvement. However recurrence of the lesion occurred. Systemic retreatment with combined stibogluconate and allupurinol led to complete healing of the lesion.

CONCLUSION

Ocular leishmaniasis is a rare and potentially blinding disorder. Combined stibogluconate and allupurinol may be an effective therapy in such cases.