Treatment Outcomes of Single-Dose Liposomal Amphotericin B–Treated Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients and Factors Affecting Outcome in Bihar, India

An assessment of the treatment outcomes of single-dose liposomal amphotericin B, implemented in 2010, had not been conducted until this study. This prospective cross-sectional study encompassed 527 cases, comprising 470 (89%) cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and 57 (11%) cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). The male proportion was higher (55% for VL), and the mean (±SD) age was 39.2 (±33.9) years. Among VL cases (426) treated with single-dose liposomal amphotericin B, 402 cases were cured at the 6-month follow-up, resulting in a cure rate of 95%, whereas fewer than 1% (0.9%) experienced unsuccessful outcomes and 4.1% faced relapse. A statistically highly significant difference in treatment outcomes (successful versus unsuccessful) was observed between males and females (P = 0.0005). Males had higher odds of successful outcomes compared with females, with an odds ratio of 5.03 (95% CI: 1.84-13.74). Those aged ≤23 years had higher odds of successful outcomes than unsuccessful outcomes, with an odds ratio of 6.82 (95% CI: 2.29-20.33). Patients with PKDL had a mean (±SD) age of 28.5 (±10.6) years, with 63% being male. Among the 57 PKDL cases, 21 (37%) had been treated with single-dose liposomal amphotericin B, whereas others had received alternative drugs. The median duration of PKDL development for single-dose liposomal amphotericin B was significantly shorter (14.5 months), with a statistically significant difference (P <0.001) compared with other drugs. The current treatment strategy necessitates continuous close monitoring and reviews to ensure consistent and improved outcomes.