Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Shahid Davari Clinic, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Treatment failure of antimony drugs for anthroponotic
cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is rising. Recognizing predictive
factors of unresponsiveness to treatment can substantially
influence better ACL management. The goal of this study was
to investigate predictive factors associated with treatment failure
in ACL in Kerman, southeast Iran.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted retrospectively
on 2,128 ACL cases in Kerman over ten years from 2011 to 2020.
The case group included patients whose lesions failed to resolve
after one treatment course. The control group included those
whose lesions were cured after one treatment course.
Results: Treatment failure was observed in 13.5% of cases (10.7%
of systemic therapy and 16.7% of local therapy). No significant
difference was reported between the type of treatment and
treatment failure. The association of treatment failure with
winter-onset (P = 0.001, OR = 1.39, CI = 1.23–1.56), face (P = 0.001,
OR = 1.86, CI = 1.38–2.49), ulceration (P = 0.01, OR = 0.51, CI = 0.30–
0.85), small diameter (P = 0.005, OR = 0.57, CI = 0.38-0.84) and
long duration of lesions (P = 0.01, OR = 1.57, CI = 1.11–2.21) was
validated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Conclusion: Efficient detection and timely management of ACL
cases are essential to reduce resistant cases, as lesions lasting
longer than four months show poor response to treatment.
Furthermore, early treatment of facial lesions with systemic
therapy is suggested to optimize results and reduce the risk of
disfiguring scars. Further surveys are required to determine the
reason behind more treatment failure in winter-onset lesions.

Keywords

INTRODUCTION

Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected infectious diseases with widespread clinical spectrums from the fatal type, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), to the less threatening type, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). CL is the most prevalent type of leishmaniasis, accounting for three-quarters of cases. Although CL is not a life-threatening disease, permanent disfiguring scars may lead to lower quality of life 1 - 4 . Iran is one of the endemic regions of CL, with an estimated annual incidence of approximately 20,000 cases 4 , 5 .

Two main types of CL are recognized: anthroponotic CL (ACL) and zoonotic CL (ZCL), caused by Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major, respectively. In old-world CL, ACL or urban type and ZCL or rural type are transmitted to the host by the bite of the female sandfly (Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi, respectively) 6 , 7 .

Based on a previous survey, Kerman is an endemic region for ACL 8. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and national leishmaniasis treatment guidelines, early detection and efficient treatment are recommended to prevent the spread of ACL. First-line therapy for ACL is pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimonate (Glucantime) and sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) administered intralesionally (IL) or parenterally as intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) depending upon the Leishmania species, clinical features of the lesions (site, size, and the number of lesions), and host's immune system status. Both methods of drug administration can result in noticeable adverse effects. Local administration is painful and can lead to erythema, edema, and swelling. Parenteral administration can have toxic effects on the heart, pancreas, kidney, and liver, leading to elevated pancreas and liver enzyme levels, cardiac arrhythmia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, myalgia, and abdominal pain 8 - 10 .

Considerable numbers of recalcitrant cases have been reported in recent years. Several factors, such as the type of Leishmania species, demographic features of patients, clinical features of lesions, and host's immune system status, can influence treatment failure or success 11 . In this study, we investigated predictive factors associated with treatment failure in ACL in Kerman, southeast Iran.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Study design

This case-control study was conducted retrospectively at Shahid Davari Health Center in Kerman, Iran, for ten years (2011 to 2020). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kerman University of Medical Sciences (IR.KMU.AH.REC.1399.173).

Study population

Inclusion criteria were patients suffering from ACL referred to this center from 2011 to 2020, those who have completed records of demographic characteristics and clinical features of lesions, received a complete treatment course, and were followed for three months afterward. Only patients who lived in Kerman city and presented with new leishmaniasis lesions were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were patients with either an incomplete treatment course or incomplete data.

The case group included patients whose lesions failed to resolve after one treatment course. The control group included those whose lesions were cured after one treatment course. Complete cure was described as complete re-epithelialization of the lesion and absence of any induration or inflammation. The treatment course consisted of weekly IL administration of meglumine antimonate (0.1 ml/cm2, maximum 5 ml) and biweekly cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for a maximum of 12 weeks or until complete healing of the lesions. A 21-day treatment course of IM administration of meglumine antimonate (20 mg/kg/day, maximum 3 ampoules) with biweekly cryotherapy was prescribed for those with lesions on the face, digits, genitalia, and joints, >4 lesions, or ≥3 cm lesion diameter. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, nationality, job, and history of chronic disease), clinical features of lesions (date of onset, site, number, diameter, duration, and type of lesion), type of treatment, and response to therapy were recorded and statistically analyzed with SPSS.

Statistical analysis

Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Quantitative and qualitative data were described by mean ± standard deviation and frequency, respectively. Initially, univariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation of lesions' diameter or number as well as treatment response with the patients' demographic characteristics and clinical features. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to omit confounding factors and confirm the results. P-values of less than 0.05 were regarded as significant.

RESULTS

From 3,765 cases, 2,128 ACL cases were enrolled in the study. The highest rates of infection occurred in 2015 (20.3%), March (12.3%), and the autumn season (28.4%) (Table 1).

Variables Number Percentage
Sex Female 1,068 50.2
Male 1,060 49.8
Age (years) 0-4 193 9.1
5-9 345 16.2
10-19 398 18.7
20-29 270 12.7
30-39 343 16.1
40-49 210 9.9
50-59 188 8.8
60-69 116 5.5
70-79 45 2.1
≥80 20 0.9
Nationality Iranian 1864 87.6
Afghan 267 12.4
Occupation Student 564 26.7
Others 555 26.3
Housewife 532 25.2
Child 355 16.8
Worker 62 2.9
Employee 32 1.3
Farmer 11 0.5
History of chronic disease Yes 70 3.3
No 2058 96.7
Season of onset Spring 579 27.2
Summer 448 21.1
Autumn 604 28.4
Winter 497 23.4
Type of treatment IL + cryotherapy 1969 92.5
IM + cryotherapy 159 7.5
Site Face 614 28.9
Body 1511 71.1
Type of lesion Ulcerated 2033 95.7
Non-ulcerated 91 4.3
Treatment response Cure 1841 86.5
Failure 287 13.5
Duration (months) ≤4 440 20.7
>4 1688 79.3
Size (mm) ≤10 1761 82.8
>10 367 17.2
Abbreviations: IL, intralesional; IM, intramuscular
Table 1. Demographic and clinical features of patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Demographic features

The mean age of patients was 27 ± 20.7 years (range 8 months to 92 years). The mean age of females was higher than that of males (30.06 ± 21 and 24.61 ± 18.7 years, respectively). Male and female cases were roughly equal (49.8% and 50.2%, respectively). Children and adolescents (19 years old or younger) constituted 43.9% of cases. Most patients had Iranian nationality (87.6%), and the remaining were Afghan. Most patients were students (26.7%) (Table 1).

Clinical features of the lesions

The mean number of lesions was 1.81 ± 0.73 (range 1–30), and most were single (63.5%). The mean diameter of lesions was 13.06 ± 9.40 mm, and most lesions had a diameter of 10 mm or less (82.8%). The vast majority of the lesions were ulcerated (95.7%) and located on body areas other than the face (71%, Table 1).

Association between clinical features of lesions and the number of lesions

Univariate analysis revealed that most of the single lesions were spring-onset, while the majority of multiple lesions occurred in the autumn season (P=0.031, OR=1.09, CI=1–1.8). Most face lesions were single (P=0.001, OR=0.644, CI=-0.52–0.78). Moreover, most of the multiple lesions were ulcerated (P=0.014, OR=0.737, CI=-0.57–0.94), had a duration longer than four months (P=0.001, OR=1.69, CI=1.34–2.14), and were 1 cm or less in diameter (P=0.001, OR=1.55, CI=-1.23–1.95). Multiple lesions were observed most frequently in patients younger than nine years old (P=0.001, OR=1.13, CI=-1.08–1.18) (Table 2).

Variables Single lesion Multiple lesions P-value Univariate OR (CI) Multivariate OR (CI) P-value
Sex Male 670 (49.4) 390 (50.2) 0.79 0.976 (-0.81-1.16)
Female 681 (50.4) 387 (49.8)
Age (years) 0-9 385 (28.5) 153(19.7) 0.001 1.71 (-1.42-2.05) 1.08 (1.03-1.14) 0.001
10-19 277 (20.5) 121 (15.6)
20-29 144 (10.7) 126 (16.2)
30-39 219 (16.2) 124 (16)
40-49 133 (9.8) 77 (9.9)
50-59 107 (7.9) 81 (10.4)
60-69 51 (3.8) 65 (8.4)
70-79 23 (1.7) 22 (2.8)
≥80 12 (0.9) 8 (1)
Season of onset Spring 401 (29.7) 178 (22.9) 0.031 1.09 (1-1.18) 1.10 (1.01-1.19) 0.018
Summer 277 (20.5) 171 (22)
Autumn 352 (26.1) 252 (32.4)
Winter 321 (23.8) 176 (22.7)
Face lesions 433 (70.5) 181 (29.5) 0.001 0.644 (-0.52-0.78) 0.77 (0.62-0.95) 0.018
Type of lesion Ulcerated 1281 (94.9) 752 (97.2) 0.014 0.737 (-0.57-0.94) 0.75 (0.58-0.96) 0.024
Non-ulcerated 69 (5.1) 22 (2.8)
Duration of disease (months) ≤ 4 320 (23.7) 120 (15.4) 0.001 1.69 (1.34-2.14) 1.66 (1.31-2.11) 0.001
>4 1031 (76.3) 657 (84.6)
Size of lesion (mm) ≤10 1150 (85.1) 611 (78.6) 0.001 1.55 (-1.23-1.95) 1.30 (1.03-1.65) 0.027
>10 201 (14.9) 166 (21.4)
Table 2. Association of demographic and clinical features of patients with the number of lesions

Multivariate analysis confirmed that single lesions were mostly spring-onset (P=0.018, OR=1.10, CI=1.01–1.19) and in the face area (P=0.018, OR=0.77, CI=0.62–0.95). Predictive factors of multiple lesions included age of younger than nine years (P=0.001, OR=1.08, CI=1.03–1.14), autumn-onset (P=0.018, OR=1.10, CI=1.01–1.19), ulceration (P=0.024, OR=0.75, CI=0.58–0.96), longer duration (P=0.001, OR=1.66, CI=1.31–2.11), 1 cm or less in diameter (P=0.027, OR=1.30, CI=1.03–1.65) (Table 2).

Association between demographics and clinical features of lesions

Univariate analysis revealed that larger lesions (diameter >1 cm) were observed more commonly in men (P=0.011, OR=0.746, CI=-0.59–0.93) and had a longer duration (P=0.008, OR=1.51, CI=-1.11–2.04). Furthermore, larger lesions were frequently ulcerated (P=0.003, OR=0.46, CI=-0.27–0.76), single (P=0.001, OR=1.55, CI=-1.23–1.95), and located most commonly in body areas other than the face (P=0.001, OR=0.62, CI=-0.49-0.78). Patients younger than nine had a significantly higher number of smaller lesions (P=0.001, OR=2.03, CI=-1.59–2.59) (Table 3).

Variables ≤10 mm >10 mm P-value Univariate OR (CI) Multivariate OR (CI) P-value
Sex Male 855 (48.6) 205 (55.9) 0.011 0.746 (-0.59-0.93) 0.73 (0.57-0.95) 0.021
Female 906 (51.4) 162 (44.1)
Age (years) 0-9 486 (27.6) 52 (14.2) 0.001 2.03 (-1.59-2.59) 1.12 (1.04-1.2) 0.001
10-19 340 (19.3) 58 (15.8)
20-29 223 (12.7) 47 (12.8)
30-39 276 (15.7) 67 (18.3)
40-49 163 (9.3) 47 (12.8)
50-59 139 (7.9) 49 (13.4)
60-69 89 (5.1) 27 (7.4)
70-79 32 (1.8) 13 (3.5)
≥80 13 (0.7) 7 (1.9)
Duration of disease (months) ≤4 383 (21.7) 57 (15.5) 0.008 1.51 (-1.11-2.04) 1.49 (1.08-2.05) 0.013
>4 1378 (78.3) 310 (84.5)
Site of the lesion Face 540 (87.9) 74 (12.1) 0.001 0.571 (-0.43-0.75) 0.92 (0.67-1.27) 0.630
Body 1282 (84.8) 229 (15.2) 0.001 0.62 (-0.49-0.78) 0.69 (0.53-0.91) 0.008
Type of lesion Ulcerated 1670 (95) 363 (98.9) 0.003 0.46 (-0.27-0.76) 0.46 (0.27-0.76) 0.003
Non-ulcerated 87 (5) 4 (1.1)
Number of lesions Single 1150 (65.3) 201 (54.8) 0.0001 1.55 (-1.23-1.95) 1.33 (1.05-1.69) 0.018
Multiple 611 (34.7) 166 (45.2)
Failure 254 (14.4) 33 (9)
Table 3. Association of demographic and clinical features of patients with the size of the lesion

Multivariate analysis confirmed the association of larger lesions with the male gender (P=0.021, OR=0.73, CI=0.57–0.95), longer duration of lesions (P=0.013, OR=1.49, CI=1.08–2.05), ulcerated lesions (P=0.003, OR=0.46, CI=0.27–0.76), single lesions (P=0.018, OR=1.33, CI=1.05–1.69), and body lesions (P=0.008, OR=0.69, CI=0.53–0.91). Patients younger than nine years old demonstrated a significantly higher number of smaller lesions (P=0.001, OR=1.12, CI=1.04–1.2) (Table 3).

Type of treatment

Most patients received IL Glucantime combined with cryotherapy (92.5%), and the remaining received IM Glucantime combined with cryotherapy. Treatment was mostly initiated treatment after four months of lesion onset (79.3%). Most patients were cured after one treatment course (86.5%), and treatment failure was observed in 13.5% of cases (Table 1). Treatment failure was observed in 10.7% and 16.7% of cases treated with IM or IL Glucantime combined with cryotherapy, respectively. No significant difference was reported between the type of treatment and treatment failure (P=0.09) (Table 4).

Variables Cure Failure P-value Univariate OR (CI) Multivariate OR (CI) P-value
Sex Male 911 (49.5) 149 (51.9) 0.443 0.907 (-0.70-1.16)
Female 930 (50.5) 138 (48.1)
Age (year) 0-9 444 (24.2) 94 (32.8) 0.418 0.902 (-0.70-1.15)
10-19 355 (19.3) 43 (15)
20-29 226 (12.3) 44 (15.3)
30-39 305 (16.6) 38 (13.2)
40-49 191 (10.4) 19 (6.6)
50-59 163 (8.9) 25 (8.7)
60-69 101 (5.5) 15 (5.2)
70-79 39 (2.1) 6 (2.1)
≥80 17 (0.9) 3 (1)
Season of onset Spring 529 (28.7) 50 (17.4) 0.001 1.37 (-1.22-1.54) 1.39 (1.23-1.56) 0.001
Summer 392 (21.3) 56 (19.5)
Autumn 526 (28.6) 78 (27.2)
Winter 394 (21.4) 103 (35.9)
Site of the lesion Face 496 (80.8) 118 (19.2) 0.001 1.89 (-1.46-2.44) 1.86 (1.38-2.49) 0.001
Body 1293 (85.6) 218 (14.4) 0.047 1.33 (1-1.78) 0.95 (0.68-1.32) 0.77
Type of lesion Ulcerated 1750 (95.3) 283 (98.6) 0.015 0.533 (-0.32-0.88) 0.51 (0.30-0.85) 0.01
Non-ulcerated 87 (4.7) 4 (1.4)
Size of the lesion (mm) ≤10 1507 (81.9) 254 (88.5) 0.0006 0.586 (0.4-0.85) 0.57 (0.38-0.84) 0.005
>10 1334 (18.1) 33 (11.5)
Duration of disease (months) ≤4 394 (21.4) 46 (16) 0.037 1.42 (-1.02-1.99) 1.57 (1.11-2.21) 0.01
>4 1447 (78.6) 241 (84)
Number of lesions Single 1178 (64) 173 (60.3) 0.22 1.17 (-0.90-1.15)
Multiple 663 (36) 114 (39.7)
Type of treatment Local treatment 270 (92.3) 1699 (94.1) 0.09 0.837 (-0.68-1.02)
Systemic treatment 142 (7.7) 17 (5.9)
Table 4. Demographic and clinical features of patients associated with treatment failure

Association between clinical features of the lesions and treatment failure

Univariate analysis revealed that treatment failure was most common in winter-onset (P=0.001, OR=1.37, CI=-1.22–1.54), face (P=0.001, OR=1.89, CI=-1.46–2.44), ulcerated (P=0.015, OR=0.533, CI=-0.32–0.88), smaller (P=0.006, OR=0.586, CI=0.4–0.85), and long-lasting lesions (P=0.037, OR=1.42, CI=-1.02–1.99) (Table 4).

The association of treatment failure with winter-onset (P=0.001, OR=1.39, CI=1.23–1.56), face (P=0.001, OR=1.86, CI=1.38–2.49), ulceration (P=0.01, OR=0.51, CI=0.30–0.85), small diameter (P=0.005, OR=0.57, CI=0.38–0.84) and long-lasting lesions (P=0.01, OR=1.57, CI=1.11–2.21) were validated by multivariate logistic regression analysis (Table 4).

DISCUSSION

This study revealed that overall treatment success and failure percentages were 86.5% and 13.5%, respectively. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the type of treatment (IL or IM) and treatment failure, somewhat similar to the previous study in Kerman and dissimilar to a study in Yazd 12 , 13 . The treatment failure rate in different regions of Iran varies from 7% to 59% 14. Two studies in Pakistan demonstrated treatment failure of 19% and 45% 15 , 16 .

In this study, most spring-onset lesions were solitary and responded better to treatment. In contrast, winter and autumn lesions demonstrated the highest percentage of treatment failure. These lesions usually are caused by sandflies at the highest levels of their activities in late spring or summer. Thus, they may be associated with the highest parasite load levels and greater diversity in Leishmania species, leading to less response to treatment 12 .

In the current study, face lesions had a significantly higher rate of treatment failure than body lesions, similar to other studies 12 . Previous studies revealed that most lupoid leishmaniasis cases were located in the face area. Regarding the chronic course of this type of leishmaniasis and higher resistance to therapy, less response of facial lesions can be expected 12. On the other hand, this study shows a higher percentage of larger lesions in the body area than in the face area.

In the present study, a higher percentage of treatment failure was observed in smaller lesions, probably due to early treatment of these lesions 12 . Previous surveys hypothesized a positive correlation between lesions' diameter and immune response activation. As a result, larger lesions are associated with more release of pro-inflammatory cytokines related to the T-helper 1 (Th1) immune pathway (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and interleukin (IL)-2], resulting in phagocytosis and killing of Leishmania parasites. In contrast, smaller lesions may relate to less activation of the immune system and inflammatory cytokines; thus, a higher percentage of treatment failure can be expected with smaller lesions and facial lesions 17 .

Studies indicated higher treatment failure in early ulcerated lesions than in classic ulcerative ones. Furthermore, they showed less activation of the immune system and production of inflammatory cytokines in early ulcerative lesions 17 , 18 . The present study showed a higher percentage of treatment failure in ulcerated lesions than in non-ulcerated ones. On the other hand, most of the multiple lesions were ulcerated, which can lead to a higher percentage of treatment resistance.

The current study indicated that longer durations of lesions (>4 months) had a significant association with treatment failure. Previous studies showed a higher percentage of resistance to therapy in patients who had delayed treatment 12 , 7 , 18 , 19 . On the other hand, evidence shows a higher percentage of treatment resistance with early treatment of lesions (duration of less than 5 weeks) 20 . It is assumed that early lesions are accompanied by less activation of the immune system against the parasite and less production of cytokines associated with Th1; therefore, early-developed lesions result in more resistance to treatment 20 . This emphasizes the importance of choosing the right time to commence therapy post-lesion onset, probably after five weeks and definitely before four months.

Research revealed patients of younger age are associated with a significantly higher percentage of treatment failure 17 , 21 , 22 . The current study demonstrated no significant difference between the age of the patients and treatment failure; however, patients younger than nine years old had a higher percentage of treatment failure than other age groups. Factors including less exposure to the parasite, lower serum concentration of antimony drug, administration of an inadequate amount of drug, and low compliance and adherence to treatment in children might contribute to more treatment failure in this age group 20 , 23 , 24 .

Our study showed no significant difference between males and females in treatment response. Treatment failure was only slightly higher in males compared to females. Few studies indicated a higher rate of treatment failure in the male gender, probably due to differences in pharmacokinetics, hormonal issues, immune system response, and treatment adherence 12 .

Although our study was performed retrospectively, it included many patients with ACL and attempted to determine factors leading to poor response to antimony treatment. The results of this study emphasize the importance of commencing therapy at an appropriate time. Furthermore, growing numbers of ACL cases resistant to antimony therapy warrants seeking alternative treatments for recalcitrant cases.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that factors including winter onset, facial lesions, ulceration, small size, and long duration of leishmaniasis may predict poor treatment response. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed predictive risk factors of large lesions including the male gender, longer duration of disease, ulcerated lesions, single lesions, and body lesions. Smaller lesions were observed more prevalently in patients younger than nine years old. Single lesions were observed mostly in spring-onset lesions and in the face. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed predictive risk factors of multiple lesions as an age of younger than nine years, autumn onset, ulcerated lesions, longer duration of disease, and smaller lesions.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

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