Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (Sep 2018)

Potential role of zinc in the visceromegaly regression and recovery of hematological parameters during treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in children from an endemic area

  • Débora Cardozo Bonfim Carbone,
  • Lourdes Zélia Garcia Zanoni,
  • Fernanda Zanoni Cônsolo,
  • Simone Camargo Sanches,
  • Vanessa Quadros dos Reis,
  • Karla de Toledo Candido Muller,
  • Cristiano Marcelo Espinola Carvalho,
  • Maria Cláudia Silva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946201860050
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 60, no. 0

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Leishmaniasis is a disease complex with various clinical symptoms caused by different species of parasites of the genus Leishmania. The visceral form of the disease, characterized by severe symptoms is fatal, if not treated. The high toxicity of current antileishmanial drugs and the need for long-term treatment make the therapy complicated, especially in a large number of infected children. Hence, the search for new therapies must be intensified. Oral administration of the trace element zinc has been considered in alternative treatments against different clinical forms of leishmaniasis. This study revealed that the administration of zinc in children with visceral leishmaniasis, during treatment with amphotericin B or glucantime, accelerates the regression of the spleen enlargement without interfering with the recovery of hematological parameters.

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