The comparison between topical terbinafine and placebo in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is endemic in developing countries. The incidence of leishmaniasis is more than 400,000 cases annually and the prevalence of all form of leishmaniasis is more than twelve millions. Although cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a self- healing disease , the duration of the disease is long and requeries several months and somtimes years before complete recovery , depending on the species of the infecting parasite . After recovery, a disfiguring scar can be left , which may destroy underlying structures like the nose or ear or cause psychological suffering of patients . The first line drug for treatment of CL., according to WHO recommendation , is the pentavalent comounds such as meglomine antimoniate (Glucantime). Other treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis are intralesinal injection of meglomine antimonate, terbinafine , paramonycin ointment , and physical treatment including cryotherapy .the aim of this atudy is to determine the efficacy of topical terbinafine in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.