cutaneous leishmaniasis

leishmaniasis /leish·ma·ni·a·sis/ (lēsh″mah-ni´ah-sis) infection with Leishmania.

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American leishmaniasis  any of the types of cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis occurring in South America, Central America, or Mexico.

cutaneous leishmaniasis  an endemic granulomatous disease, divided into two forms: an Old World form caused by Leishmania major, L. tropica or L. aethiopica and a New World form caused by L. mexicana or L. viannia.

mucocutaneous leishmaniasis  chronic, progressive, metastatic spread of the lesions of New World leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania viannia braziliensis to the nasal, pharyngeal, and buccal mucosa long after the appearance of the initial cutaneous lesion, causing widespread destruction of tissue with marked deformity.

post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis  a condition associated with visceral leishmaniasis, characterized by hypopigmented or erythematous macules on the face and sometimes also the trunk and limbs, the facial lesions progressing to papules and nodules resembling those of lepromatous leprosy.

leishmaniasis reci´divans  a prolonged, relapsing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis resembling tuberculosis of the skin.

visceral leishmaniasis  a chronic, highly fatal if untreated, infectious disease caused by Leishmania donovani, characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, fever, chills, vomiting, anemia, leukopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and an earth-gray color of the skin.

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cutaneous leishmaniasis

n.

An endemic disease in northern Africa and western and central Asia, caused by infection with promastigotes of Leishmania tropica and transmitted by the bite of a sandfly of the genus Phlebotomus. It begins as a papule that enlarges to a nodule and then breaks down into an ulcer that leaves an indented scar. Also called Old World leishmaniasis.

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cutaneous leishmaniasis,

a dermatologic disease caused by the parasite Leishmania tropica, transmitted to humans by the bite of the sand fly. This form of leishmaniasis, characterized by ulcerative lesions, occurs primarily in Africa, Asia, and some Mediterranean countries. Oriental sore causes no systemic symptoms, but the sores are susceptible to secondary infections. Treatment options include infrared therapy and injection of ulcers with sodium antimony gluconate. Also called Aleppo boil, Delhi boil, Old World leishmaniasis, oriental sore, tropical sore. See also leishmaniasis.

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leishmaniasis [lēsh″mah-ni´ah-sis]

any disease due to infection with Leishmania.

American leishmaniasis forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis found in the Americas.

cutaneous leishmaniasis an endemic disease transmitted by the sandfly and characterized by the development of cutaneous papules that evolve into nodules, break down to form ulcers, and heal with scarring. It has been divided into Old World and New World forms, and the Old World form is subdivided into urban and rural types. The Old World form is caused by organisms of the Leishmania tropica complex; the New World form is caused by organisms of the L. mexicana and L. viannia complexes. It is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, and has been called by various names such as Aleppo boil, Delhi sore, Baghdad sore, and Oriental sore. Treatment consists of injections of pentavalent antimonial compounds. Antibiotics are used to combat secondary infection. Simple lesions may be cleaned, curetted, and left to heal.

cutaneous leishmaniasis, diffuse a rare chronic form of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania aethiopica in Ethiopia and Kenya, L. pifanoi in Venezuela, and species of the L. viannia and L. mexicana subclass in South and Central America, respectively, in which the lesions resemble those of nodular leprosy or of keloid. Pentavalent antimonial compounds are useful in some forms, while others are antimony-resistant. The prognosis for a complete cure is not good; relapses are common.

mucocutaneous leishmaniasis a disease endemic in South and Central America caused by Leishmania viannia, marked by ulceration of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and pharynx; widespread destruction of soft tissues in nasal and oral regions may occur. Called also espundia. Treatment consists of injections of pentavalent antimonial compounds.

leishmaniasis reci´divans a prolonged, relapsing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis resembling tuberculosis of the skin; it may last for many years.

visceral leishmaniasis a chronic, highly fatal if untreated, infectious disease endemic in the tropics and subtropics, caused by the protozoon Leishmania donovani. Sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus are the vectors. Called also kala-azar.

Symptoms. Symptoms are usually vague, resembling those of incipient pulmonary tuberculosis; the disease is often confused with malaria. There may be fever, chills, malaise, cough, anorexia, anemia, and wasting. The Leishmania organisms multiply in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system, eventually causing hyperplasia of the cells, especially those of the liver and spleen. Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstration of the parasite.

Treatment. Two groups of compounds are recommended: pentavalent organic antimonials, such as sodium antimony gluconate, and aromatic diamidines, such as pentamidine, if the antimonials are ineffective. Rest is prescribed for patients debilitated by anemia. A decrease in white cell count (leukopenia) often accompanies the disease, and therefore the patient's resistance to secondary infections is lowered. In some cases transfusion may be necessary to bring blood values back to normal. The patient is given a well balanced diet and liberal amounts of fluids. Special mouth care and attention to the skin are necessary to avoid complications.