Therapeutic effect of direct current electricity on cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background and aim: In spite of the existance of different types of treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis, an efficient, safe and cheap treatment has not been found yet. There are some studies showing antiparasiticidal effect of direct current electricity both in vivo and in vitro. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrotherapy in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.Materials and Methods: This trial was done on 16 patients referred to dermatology clinics of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Twenty-seven lesions were treated in six weekly sessions for 10 minutes, by direct current electricity. The intensity ranged from 5 to 15 mA, and the voltage was kept below 40 volts. Ten lesions were left untreated as control group. At each session the size of induration was measured and recorded.Results: At the end of the trial, in the study group, the average of the induration size decreased 55±30% , however, in the control group the induration size increased 20±20% (P<0.05).Conclusion: Direct current electricity was effective in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis to some extent. Further studies with alteration in method of this treatment are needed.