American cutaneous leishmaniasis triggered by electrocoagulation

Abstract Cutaneous leishmaniasis is usually transmitted by infected phlebotomine sand fly bites that initiate local cutaneous lesions. Few reports in the literature describe other modes of transmission. We report a case of a previously healthy 59-year-old woman who underwent electrocoagulation to remove seborrheic keratosis confirmed by dermatoscopy. Three months later, a skin fragment tested positive for Leishmania culture; the parasite was identified as L. (V.) braziliensis. Trauma may generate inflammatory cascades that favor Leishmania growth and lesion formation in previously infected patients. American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a dynamic disease with unclear pathophysiology because of continually changing environments, demographics, and human behaviors.

Reactivation of cutaneous and mucocutaneous tegumentary leishmaniasis in rheumatoid arthritis patients: an emerging problem?

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that is frequent in patients living in tropical areas exposed to leishmaniasis. RA therapy involves immunosuppressant drugs such as methotrexate (MTX), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and prednisone. We report an unusual presentation of cutaneous (CL) or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (ML) in RA patients from an endemic area of leishmaniasis. A 51-year-old woman noted a cutaneous ulcer on her left ankle during MTX and prednisone RA therapy. Initially diagnosed as a venous stasis ulcer, the aspirate of the injury revealed the presence of Leishmania DNA. A 73-year-old woman presenting non-ulcerated, infiltrated and painful erythematous nodules inside her nostrils while receiving MTX, anti-TNF mAb, and prednisone for RA, had also the aspirate of injuries showing the presence of Leishmania DNA. Both patients healed after the therapy with liposomal amphotericin. The RA therapy has changed to low-dose prednisone, without further reactivation episodes. Both cases suggest that CL or ML can reactivate after administration of an immunosuppressant for RA treatment. Therefore, immunosuppressive treatments for RA should be carefully prescribed in patients from endemic areas or with a history of CL and ML.

Histopathological characteristics of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis: A series of 88 patients.

Background: Post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a sequel to visceral leishmaniasis or kala azar seen predominantly in the Indian subcontinent and Africa. Histopathological descriptions of the condition are limited. Methods: Biopsies of 88 skin and 16 mucosal lesions were evaluated for histopathological findings on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Results: There were 71 (80.7%) males and 17 (19.3%) females with a mean age of 24.8 and 28.5 years, respectively. A past history of kala azar was present in 64 (72.7%) patients and post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis developed a mean of 6.2 years after visceral leishmaniasis. Of the biopsies studied, the clinical lesions were macular in 14 (15.9%), papulo-nodular in 32 (36.3%) and showed both macules and papulo-nodules in 42 (47.8%). Follicular plugging was a common epidermal finding. A clear Grenz zone was frequently noted. The dermal infiltrates were arranged mainly in three patterns: superficial perivascular infiltrates in 16 (18.1%), perivascular and perifollicular infiltrates in 24 (27.3%) and diffuse infiltrates in 41 (46.6%) biopsies. Leishman-Donovan (LD) bodies were noted in 13 (44.9%) of 69 cases on slit-skin smear and in 25 (28.4%) of 88 biopsies. In 16 patients, where both skin and mucosal biopsies were available, LD bodies were identified in 10 (62.5%) mucosal biopsies as compared to 3 (18.7%) skin biopsies. Limitations: The retrospective nature of the study and the lack of controls were limitations. Conclusion: The various histomorphological patterns of post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis are a useful clue to the diagnosis even when LD bodies have not been detected. This study also suggests that LD bodies are more frequently seen in mucosal biopsies in comparison to cutaneous biopsies.

El inexorable avance de la Leishmaniasis: Comunicación del primer caso autóctono en la Provincia de Córdoba / O Avanço Inexorável Da Leishmaniose: Comunicação Do Primeiro Caso Autóctone Na Província De Córdoba / The Relentless Progress Of Leishmaniasis: Report Of The First Autochthonous Case In The Province Of Cordoba

El objetivo del presente trabajo es la comunicación del primer caso de leishmaniasis cutánea (LC) en laprovincia de Córdoba, en el mes de Noviembre del año 2014. No existen reportes anteriores de casosautóctonos en el territorio provincial. El equipo de trabajo de la Cátedra de Parasitología y MicologíaMédicas, FCM, UNC, viene advirtiendo sobre los efectos del calentamiento global para la saludpública, hecho que favorece el avance de la frontera epidemiológica de enfermedades transmitidas porvectores - la leishmaniasis es un ejemplo de estaafirmación-. La zoonosis se ha diagnosticado en unpaciente de Unquillo, localidad serrana, distante pocomás de 20 km de la capital de Córdoba, Argentina. Eldiagnóstico ha sido corroborado mediante biopsias detejido, de manera indubitable a través de la observacióndel parásito. La deforestación para las explotaciones agrícolas, producción de madera, la generaciónde barrios cerrados en la periferia de las ciudades, las migraciones humanas provenientesde áreas endémicas y el aumento global de la temperatura son los factores que favorecenlas nuevas radicaciones de esta patología.8 Esta enfermedad tiene alto impacto sanitarioy su vector debe ser combatida a través de programas sanitarios permanentes. La LC estáampliamente distribuida en América y hay representaciones desde la época precolombinaen cerámicas y huacos antropomórfi cos con lesiones propias de esta patología.1, 7, 8 Elagente etiológico es un parásito transmitido por un pequeño insecto –Lutzomya.- produceúlceras crónicas y mutilaciones por destrucción de cartílagos nasales y laríngeos. Entendemosprioritario informar la emergencia de de la enfermedad, generar las conductaspreventivas, de promoción de salud y poner al corriente a todo el equipo de salud de supresencia en nuestro medio...

The objective of this work is to report the fi rst case of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in theprovince of Cordoba, in the month of November, 2014. There are no previous reports ofautochthonous cases in the province. The work team from the Chair of Medical Parasitologyand Mycology. School of Medicine, National University of Cordoba, has been raisingwarning fl ags regarding the effects of global warming on public health, since it stimulatesthe advance of the epidemiologic boundary of vector transmitted diseases; leishmaniasisis an example of this statement. This zoonosis has been diagnosed in a patient from Unquillo,a mountainous region, little more than 20 km away from the capital of Cordoba,Argentina. The diagnosis has been checked with tissue biopsies, undoubtedly throughparasite observation.Deforestation for agriculture and wood production, the generation of closed neighborhoodsin the surroundings of cities, the migration of people coming from endemic areasand the global increase of temperatures are the factors which favor the new settlements ofthis pathology.8 This disease has a great impact on health and its vector has to be foughtagainst through permanent health programs. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is greatly spread inAmerica and representations can be found since pre-Columbian times in pottery and anthropomorphichuacos showing lesions corresponding to this pathology.1, 7, 8 The etiologicagent is a parasite transmitted by a small insect, Lutzomyia; it produces chronic ulcers andmutilation due to the destruction of nose and larynx cartilages. It is a priority to informabout the emergency of the disease, generate preventive actions of health promotion andlet all the health team know about the existence of the disease in our setting...

Leishmaniose tegumentar em paciente com espondilite anquilosante utilizando adalimumabe / Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis using adalimumab

A leishmaniose é uma antropozoonose causada por espécies de Leishmania e pode apresentar-se de diversas formas clínicas, dependendo da interação parasita-hospedeiro. O fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α) é uma citocina essencial para o controle de infecções, especialmente contra parasitas intracelulares como a Leishmania. A terapia anti-TNF-α tem importante papel no tratamento de doenças reumáticas, mas o uso desses antagonistas está relacionado ao aumento de infecções. Relatamos o primeiro caso de leishmaniose cutânea no Brasil em uma paciente portadora de espondilite anquilosante em uso de adalimumabe e metotrexato. Acreditamos que neste caso não houve relação entre o uso de anti-TNF-α e a leishmaniose cutânea, pois a doença estava limitada a apenas uma úlcera, que cicatrizou completamente após o tratamento. Mais estudos, entretanto, são necessários para entender melhor a possível associação entre agentes anti-TNF-α e leishmaniose.

Leishmaniasis is an anthropozoonosis caused by species of Leishmania and can have different clinical presentations, depending on the parasite-host relationship. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine essential to infection control, especially against intracellular parasites such as Leishmania. Anti-TNF-α strategies have had a marked impact on the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but the clinical use of those antagonists has been accompanied by an increased report of infections. We report the first case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab and methotrexate in Brazil. We believe that, in this case, there was no association between the anti-TNF-α treatment and cutaneous leishmaniasis, because the disease was limited to only one ulcer that healed completely after treatment. More studies, however, are necessary to better understand the possible relationship between anti-TNF-α agents and leishmaniasis.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis is usually a sequel to visceral leishmaniasis. A 25-year-old woman presented with hypopigmented maculopapular lesions all over the body for the past 4 years without any previous history of visceral leishmaniasis. She was on treatment for leprosy and pulmonary tuberculosis for the past 2 months, but did not show any improvement. Investigations confirmed that she had post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV-1 infection. She was started on treatment for the triad of diseases, and showed improvement.

Isoenzyme electrophetic characterization of leishmania major, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in north and west Saudi Arabia

Several expeditions were carried out to four localities [Al-Madinah Almonawarah, Tabouk region, Al-Jouf and Northern Frontiers regions] in Northern and Western Saudi Arabia for sampling zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] cases from patients and rodents. Biopsy samples were collected from 51 patients complaining of skin lesions, most of which [40 or 78.4%] proved to be ZCL. Amastigotes were detected in 33 patients [64.7%], but only 30 [58.9%] gave successful growth of promastigotes in the culture media. The positive cases were Saudis 14 [35%] and non-Saudis 26 [65%].Five species of rodents were caught, Meriories libycus, Psammomys obesus, Rattus rattus, Jaculus jaculus and Hystrix indica. The first species was the most dominant [90%] in which Leishmania parasites were detected. The Leishmania isolates from man and rodents were identified by isoenzyme electrophoresis and proved to be Zymodeme LON-4

Etiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis and anthropophilic vectors in Juruti, Pará State, Brazil / Etiologia da leishmaniose cutânea e vetores antropofílicos em Juruti, Estado do Pará, Brasil

In a preliminary study in Juruti, a mining municipality in western Pará State, Brazil, 12 out of 21 patients suspected of presenting cutaneous leishmaniasis showed positive PCR (SSUrDNA and G6PD): Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (9/12; 75 percent) and L. (V.) sp. (3/12; 25 percent). Entomological studies in the same location revealed the presence of 12 different phlebotomine species (n =105). One of the most common species was Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) complexa (17 percent) which is both highly anthropophilic and a known vector of L. (V.) braziliensis in other regions of Pará. These preliminary findings should serve to guide future epidemiological surveillance in Juruti.

Em um estudo preliminar em Juruti, um município minerário na região oeste do Estado do Pará, Brasil, 12 de 21 pacientes suspeitos de possuírem leishmaniose cutânea tiveram PCRs positivas (SSUrDNA e G6PD): Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (9/12; 75 por cento) e Leishmania (Viannia) sp. (3/12; 25 por cento). Estudos entomológicos na mesma localidade revelaram a presença de 12 diferentes espécies de flebotomíneos (n = 105). Uma das espécies mais comuns foi Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) complexa (17 por cento) que é altamente antropofílica e reconhecida vetora de L. (V.) braziliensis em outras regiões do Estado do Pará. Esses resultados preliminares servem como orientação para futura vigilância epidemiológica em Juruti.

Manifestações otorrinolaringológicas relacionadas à Leishmanisoe Tegumentar Americana: revisão de literatura / Otorhinolaryngologic manifestations relating American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis: literature review

Introdução: A LTA é um problema de Saúde Pública que acomete principalmente as cavidades nasal, oral e mais raramente faringe, laringe e orelha, provocando desfiguração dessas mucosas e levando não só ao acometimento da saúde do indivíduo, mas também a estigmas sociais. Objetivo: Estudo de revisão sobre as Afecções Otorrinolaringológicas relacionadas à Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA). Método: Foi realizado por levantamento de dados nas bases SCIELO, MEDLINE, BIREME e livros médicos. Conclusão: O conhecimento a respeito das doenças endêmicas tropicais relacionadas às vias aéreas superiores e a compreensão das suas relações com a otorrinolaringologia são de extrema importância para a resolutividade dessas lesões, bem como para prevenir as deformidades causadas nas estruturas acometidas.

Introduction: American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis is a Public Health problem that most commonly affects nasal and oral cavities and less commonly pharynx, larynx and ears, causing these mucouses' disfiguration and leading not only to one's health loss but also to social stigma. Objective: Review study about Otorhinolaryngological affections relating American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL). Method: Study made by research from SCIELO, MEDLINE and BIREME databases and from medical books. Conclusion: The Knowledge about tropical endemic diseases relating to the upper respiratory passages and the understanding of their relation with otorhinolaryngology are extremely important for solving these lesions, as well as preventing the deformities caused on the affected structures.

Safety, immunogenicity and possible efficacy of immunochemotherapy of persistent post Kala-azaz dermal leishmaniasis

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis [PKDL] is a common skin condition that follows successful treatment of visceral leishmaniasis [VL] in Sudanese patients. Lesions persist for years in 15% of patients and are viewed as reservoirs for the disease. Drug treatment is protracted, toxic and costly. Cure is strongly correlated with conversion in the leishmanin skin test. To determine safety, immunogenecity and possible efficacy of Alum-precipitated autoclaved L. major + BCG VL candidate vaccine combined with sodium stibogluconate [SSG] in patients with persistent PKDL. Following informed consent, the vaccine mixture was administered in a stepwise manner as follows: 5 patients received a single intradermal injection of 10 microg, 5 patients received a single dose of 100 microg and 2 patients received 4 doses of 100 microg at weekly intervals. Subsequently, the three groups of patients received means of 63.0 +/- 8.0, 53.0 +/- 5.0 and 40 days courses of SSG treatment respectively and were cured. Side effects were minimal and were confined to the vaccine injection site. Following completion of the safety study, eight patients were injected with 4-6 vaccine doses of 100 microg/dose at weekly intervals in combination with SSG. Patients were closely followed up in hospital, with minimal side effects and complete clearance of the skin rash in forty days. Alum/ALM + BCG vaccine mixture plus SSG was safe and was apparently effective in healing persistent PKDL lesions. SSG treatment duration could be shortened with the SSG/vaccine combination

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL): a first case report from Nepal.

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a non-ulcerative lesion of the skin caused by Leishmania donovani, which is usually seen after completion of treatment of the kala-azar. The condition is yet to be reported from Nepal. We document and report for the first time a case of PKDL in Nepal.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis associated with AIDS

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is rarely reported in South America. In spite of the fact that there are many reports about the association of visceral leishmaniasis and AIDS, PKDL is very uncommon in HIV-positive patients, and so far only four cases have been documented in the literature. We present another case with unusual clinicopathological aspects. The patient, a 28-year-old male, from Salvador, Bahia (an endemic area) presented with clinical manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis three years after the diagnosis of AIDS. During treatment for visceral leishmaniasis he developed disseminated miliary papules. Microscopically, the skin biopsy showed a "saw-tooth" pattern with a lichenoid mononuclear infiltrate simulating lichen planus. The histopathological diagnosis was achieved through the finding of amastigotes. The authors discuss the clinicopathological aspects of this case based on a review of the specific literature.

Lutzomyia longiflocosa (Diptera: Psychodidae) posible vector en el foco de leishmaniasis cutánea del municipio de Planadas, zona cafetera del Tolima / Lutzomyia longiflocosa (Diptera: Psychodidae), suspected vector at a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Planadas, coffe plantation area of Tolima

Debido al incremento en los registros de casos de leishmaniasis cutánea (LC) en el municipio de Planadas, zona cafetera de la cordillera central (353 casos x 100.000 habitantes durante 1998), se realizó un estudio piloto para reconocer las especies del genero Lutzomyia presentes en la zona y seleccionar los posibles vectores de leishmaniasis cutánea. Se realizaron 4 capturas nocturnas de los flebótomos en las veredas La Floresta. La Aldea y el resguardo indígena de Gaitania. Se utilizaron trampas CDC, cebo humano protegido y trampa Shannon. En los 2.849 ejemplares identificados se encontraron 5 especies, tres de ellas pertenecientes al grupo verrucarum de gran importancia en salud pública. L. longiflocosa (98,5 por ciento) predominante en todos los sitios, se reconoce como una especie antropofílica y con antecedentes de posible vector de LC en el departamento de Huila, Colombia. L. nuñeztovari (0,7 por ciento), presente en intra y peridomicilio, es reconocida porque su variedad L.n anglesi se incriminó como vector de Leishmania (V) braziliensis en Bolivia. L. columbiana (0,1 por ciento), con antecedentes de posible vector L. mexicana y de Bartonella bacilliformis en Nariño, Colombia, se registró en el intradomicilio y en el peridomicilio. Otros flebótomus encontrados fueron una especie del subgénero Helcocyrtomyia (0,4 por ciento) y L shannoni (0,3 por ciento). Trescientos setenta y nueve flebótomos fueron disecados sin hallar infección natural. Basados en la abundancia de flebótomus encontrada para esta zona, su comportamiento antropofílico y antecedentes vectoriales, se considera a L. longiflocosa como la especie más comprometida en la transmisión de LC en el municipio de Planadas, Tolima

Especies de Lutzomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae) posibles vectores de leishmaniasis en la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia / Lutzomyia species (Diptera: Psychodidae) possible leishmaniasis vector in the city of Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia

Debido al registro, en los últimos cinco años, de ciento veinticinco casos urbanos de leishmaniasis cutánea en la ciudad de Bucaramanga, se desarrolló el presente estudio con el fin de determinar las especies del género Lutzomyia existentes en la ciudad y sus implicaciones en salud pública. La búsqueda de los flebotomíneos se hizo en ocho zonas de la ciudad en los meses de septiembre a diciembre de 1996, utilizando como técnicas de muestreo trampas de luz tipo CDC y aspiración directa en cebo humano protegido y en sitios de reposo. Los insectos fueron preservados en alcohol al 70 por ciento y aclarados con KOH y fenol. Se capturaron 212 especímenes pertenecientes a once especies del género Lutzomyia y una del género Brumptomyia. Entre las especies antropofílicas encontradas, L. ovallesi y L. gomezi se destacan por ser reconocidas como vectores de Leishmania braziliensis L. ovallesi fue la especie de mayor distribución en la ciudad, L. gomezi la más abundante en las capturas con cebo humano; las dos se encontraron en barrios donde se ha informado el mayor número de casos de la enfermedad. El hallazgo de estas especies en la ciudad sugiere la posibilidad de que los habitantes de Bucaramanga puedan infectarse en el área urbana y crea la necesidad de continuar estudios que contribuyan a interrumpir el ciclo de transmisión