Co-existence of cutaneous leishmaniasis with pleural effusion: a case report from Iran

ABSTRACT

Herein, a 12-year-old Afghan boy with chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis on the face and verrucous lesions on the body and pleural effusion suspected of having co-existent tuberculosis has been presented. The cutaneous lesions were appeared for five years before his admission. Leishman-Donovan bodies were seen in H and E [Hematoxylin and eosin] slide of skin lesion specimens. The pathogenic species was proved to be Leishmania tropica using Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] method. Purified Protein Derivative [PPD] and Leishmanin Skin Test [LST] were strongly positive. The patient was treated with systemic and intralesional meglumine antimoniate [Glucantime] for cutaneous leishmaniasis and then with anti-tuberculosis drugs for pleural effusion. Afterwards, pleural effusion was disappeared and cutaneous leishmaniasis cured