Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: Clinical perspectives

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 73; no. 6; pp. 897 - 908; quiz 909-10
• Main Authors: Handler, Marc Z, Patel, Parimal A, Kapila, Rajendra, Al-Qubati, Yasin, Schwartz, Robert A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-2015
• Subjects: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use; Disease Progression; Endemic Diseases; Female; Humans; Leishmania donovani - isolation & purification; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - epidemiology; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous - epidemiology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - epidemiology; Male; Prevalence; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Tropical Climate; sandfly; bat; gerbil; kala-azar; parasitic disorders; protozoan diseases; ulcer; tropical diseases; leishmaniasis; dog; rodents
• ISSN: 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.08.051

Leishmaniasis is endemic in 98 countries and territories, with 1.2 million new cases per year, making it a worldwide concern. The deadly visceral form is a leading cause of death from tropical parasitic infections, second only to malaria. Leishmaniasis appears to be increasing in many countries because of extended urbanization. The disease reservoir includes small mammals; parasite transmission occurs via bite of the female phlebotomine sandfly. Disease manifestations vary and largely depend upon the Leishmania species acquired. It may be first evident with a range of findings-from a localized cutaneous ulcer to diffuse painless dermal nodules-or, in the mucocutaneous form, ulceration of the oropharynx. In the potentially deadly visceral form, the internal organs and bone marrow are affected.