[Leg ulcer revealing cutaneous leishmaniasis]

Pan Afr Med J. 2017 Aug 23:27:287. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2017.27.287.13090. eCollection 2017.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases occurring in endemic tropical and subtropical areas and caused by protozoa of the genus leishmania, transmitted by a diptera (sand fly). We here report a case of topical cutaneous leishmaniasis discovered in a 15-year old boy with painless ulcer on his left leg, who had been staying in South Africa. Clinical examination showed painless non-itchy ulcer, occurred 1 month before, on the antero-internal part of his left leg with crusts and scars caused by insect bites, all evolving in a context of patient's general health status, without mucosal or visceral lesions. Skin biopsy allowed specific parasitologic diagnosis revealing topical zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. major. The patient underwent topical treatment based on paramomycin and oral fluconazole resulting in ulcer healing at the end of 2 months.

Keywords: L major; cutaneous leishmaniasis; leg ulcer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Antiparasitic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Biopsy
  • Fluconazole / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Leg Ulcer / diagnosis*
  • Leg Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Leg Ulcer / parasitology
  • Leishmania major / isolation & purification
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / diagnosis*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / pathology
  • Male
  • Paromomycin / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zoonoses / diagnosis*
  • Zoonoses / drug therapy
  • Zoonoses / parasitology

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents
  • Paromomycin
  • Fluconazole