Erysipeloid type of leishmaniasis: a clinical study of an unusual presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iranian women in Isfahan, Iran

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is pervalent in Iran. There are many unusual clinical presentations in acute cutaneous leishmaniasis [ACL]. Patients with infiltrative leisons over the face and nose referring to our department were studied. Fourteen female patients aged 45-74 had this unusual presentation. Direct smear and leishmanin skin test were positive in all of them, and histologically they showed cutaneous leishmaniasis. Other paraclinical data were within normal limits. All the patients responded well to methylglucamine antimonate treatment and their lesion healed leaving no scars. Erysipeloid type of leishmaniasis is an unusual clinical presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The reason why this special presentation is seen only in women is not clear. However, host defense mechanisms, hormonal changes of the body [they were all elderly women], and fragility and friability of the nose and face skin due to senility may be involved