Doxycycline for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis has shown a resurgence in recent years in Tunisia. Because of the toxicity and high cost of pentavalent antimonials we have sought alternative medications. In a study of 14 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, ten patients achieved complete clinical regression of the lesions with oral administration of doxycycline, 200mg per day, for 15-30 days.