Evaluation of the Cardiac Toxicity of N-Methyl-Glucamine in Leishmaniotic dogs

N-methyl-glucamine (Glucantime®) is a first line drug used in anti-leishmania treatment. Several side-effects, including cardiac negative effects, have been described in patients treated with this drug. In particular, prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death have been reported in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the possible negative cardiac effects of N-methyl-glucamine in dogs with spontaneous Leishmaniosis. Thirteen dogs naturally affected by Leishmaniosis were treated with Glucantime® at a dose of 75 mg/kg q12 h SC for 60 days. On each dog, evaluation of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration was carried out using an automated immunoassay method before the onset of the therapy (T0) and at the end of treatment (T60). Furthermore, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring was performed at the same time interval and the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) was calculated using a one-parameter logarithmic formula. Serum cTnI concentration and QTc values at T0 and T60 were compared using a Mann-Whitney u-test and a paired Student’s t-test, respectively. A value of P<0,05 was considered to be significant. Serum cTnI concentrations were normal either before and at the end of the study and no statistical differences were observed from T0 and T60. No cardiac arrhythmia was found in 24-hour ECG tracings before and after the treatment. Analysis of QTc values did not evidenced any statistical difference from T0 and T60. Results of the present study evidenced no laboratory and electrocardiographic features of cardiac toxicity in Leishmaniotic dogs treated with a therapeutic dose of N-methyl-glucamine for 60 days.