[Cutaneous Leishmaniasis]

Overview

Journal Hautarzt

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2007 Apr 21

PMID 17447043

Citations 2

Authors

E von Stebut

C Sunderkotter

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Infections with Leishmania are increasing worldwide because of tourism and job-related travel; central Europe is no exception. Infections often first become apparent after return from an endemic region. Depending on the Leishmania species and the host immune status, different forms of cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL) (L. brasiliensis complex) or visceral leishmaniasis (L. donovani as well as L. infantum) may develop. CL may heal spontaneously with scarring but can evolve into diffuse CL (with reduced immune response to L. amazonensis, L. guyanensis, L. mexicana or L. aethiopica) or into recurrent CL. Diagnostic criteria include travel to an endemic area as well as ulcerated plaques or nodules on an exposed site which show no tendency towards healing over 3-4 weeks. Differential diagnostic considerations include ecthyma, other infectious ulcers, and malignant neoplasms. The diagnosis is confirmed by finding Leishmania in a smear or tissue biopsy, as well as by culture. Therapy options range from topical treatment of simple CL of the Old World caused by L. major to systemic therapy which is needed for most complex cases of CL as well as MCL. Miltefosine is a less toxic option to replace the antimony compounds.

Citing Articles

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis. Diagnosis and therapy in northern Afghanistan].

Dieterle R, Pillekamp H Hautarzt. 2013; 65(2):125-9.

PMID: 24337239 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-013-2725-8.

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis as travelers' disease. Clinical presentation, diagnostics and therapy].

von Stebut E, Schleicher U, Bogdan C Hautarzt. 2012; 63(3):233-46.

PMID: 22422121 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-012-2327-x.

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