Our approach to leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis can be cured. Detecting it however remains a major problem because it rages in isolated regions that are difficult to access. Usually, persons who become infected will not go to a hospital or first-aid unit of their own accord. What often happens is that when the patient does get around to being treated, the illness will usually have progressed too much anyway.

The Damien Foundation's acts at different levels to tackle the disease:

1. Early detection

Early detection enables us to avoid complications. For this reason, the Damien Foundation trains village volunteers. We inform them about health care, so they recognise a disease by its symptoms. They learn to take swabs from potential carriers. They send the samples to the nearest laboratory. If a person is infected he or she can commence treatment at once.

2. Treatment

Once a day during a 20-day period, patients receive an injection of Glucantime, a derivative of antimony. Antimony is a heavy metallic element, not indicated for patients with a weak heart or liver. Moreover this medicine is expensive. The price for treating one patient is €135

3. Looking for better solutions

The Damien Foundation does not cease to try and improve techniques to detect and treat leishmaniasis. Miltefosine, a medicine used to treat cancer, is currently tested. It has the advantage of being easy to swallow. The results for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis are very encouraging. However, it is not yet sure how efficient this medicine is in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. Soon, also tests on a vaccine which has shown positive results in some Latin American countries will be started. It is easy to administer. Three injections are given with few side effects. Moreover, the price is much more attractive.