ABSTRACT
The histopathology of cutaneous leishmaniasis is marked by a T-cell mediated immune response ranging from well-defined epithelioid granuloma formation with few orgnaisms in patients with an intact immune response to a diffuse infiltrate of histiocytes with numerous organisms in patients with a poor immune response. In this respect, there is a similarity to infection by mycobacterium leprae. The tropism of the infectious Leishmania organism, that of the innoculum, and the underlying immune strains of the patient will determine the clinical and histologic findings. Further study into the immunopathology should lead to greater uinderstanding of the pathologic findings and improved treatments. Furthermore, the use of polymerase chain reaction and other methods of verification utilizing immunoperoxidase staining should lead to greater diagnostic confidence