The lack of effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation as a treatment for Leishmania major in a mouse model.

Abstract

We aimed to study the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) (100% oxygen at 2 ATA for 70 minutes each session for 20 consecutive days) on BALB/c male mice infected with Leishmania major. Fifty-one mice were assigned to six groups. Group 1 was treated with HOT from 1 day after the inoculation. In Groups 2-5, treatment began when the cutaneous lesions appeared. Group 2 received HOT only, Group 3 received topical therapy with Leshcutan only, Groups 4 and 5 received a combination of HOT and Leshcutan for 5 and 10 days respectively, and Group 6 did not receive any treatment (control group). When comparing the control group with Group 1, treatment with HOT in Group 1 did not significantly affect the time of the appearance of the lesions. In contrast, mice treated with Leshcutan demonstrated a significant difference in lesion size and spleen dimensions as compared to the rest of the mice (p<0.001). The results show that HOT treatment has no positive effect on the course of Leishmaniasis in a BALB/c mice model infected with Leishmania major. Further studies are needed with a mouse model closer to humans and with different HOT protocols.