Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Abstract
The cutaneous leishmaniases include a spectrum of self healing and chronic disease forms caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Clinical presentations differ according to parasite burden and host immune response. Although there can be considerable overlap of clinical presentations, 5 distinct cutaneous syndromes are recognized in Leishmania infections: 1) simple or localized ulcerative or nodular cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL); 2) mucosal leishmaniasis (ML); 3) leishmaniasis recidivans (LR); 4) diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL); and 5) post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Immunocompromised patients may have atypical presentations. Oligoparasitic (low parasite burden) syndromes are chronic, persistent infections that follow primary ulcerative disease (ML and LR) or drug therapy for kala-azar (early forms of PKDL). Polyparasitic syndromes such as ulcerative and nodular CL, DCL, and late or nodular PKDL are characterized by a high parasite burden.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547683
Entities
People
- Alan J. Magill
- Mary K. Klassen-fischer
- Ronald C. Neafie
- Wayne M. Meyers
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences