Multidetector computed tomography aspects of tracheal mucosal leishmaniasis localization.

Tracheal mucosal localization of Leishmania is considered a rare and dangerous event. A single case of leishmaniasis of the trachea has been described in literature. Our work describes multidetector computed tomography features of leishmaniasis localized in the tracheal mucosa that occurred in a 68-year-old patient who lived in an endemic zone. Our patient underwent biopsy that established the diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Technetium-99m labeling anti-amastigote polyclonal antibodies of Leishmania amazonensis.

Anti-amastigote polyclonal antibody (IgG) was incubated with solutions of stannous chloride and sodium borohidride. After that, 3.7 MBq of technetium-99m (99mTc) was added. A labeling yield of the antibody about 84% was obtained. After filtration of 99mTc-IgG, the radiochemical purity increased from 84 to 95%. The labeling of IgG with 99mTc did not modify the immunoreactivity of the antibody, since it was able to identify in vitro and in vivo the specific antigen of Leishmania amazonensis.

Chronic dacryocystitis in American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

PURPOSE: This study describes lacrimal tract involvement and surgical outcome in patients with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS: Four patients, ages 20 to 75 years, had nasal lesions resulting from mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and sought treatment for chronic dacryocystitis. Each patient had had lacrimal symptoms since childhood or early adulthood, concomitantly with the development of upper airway lesions. Dacryocystography showed nasolacrimal duct stenosis in all cases on the affected side. Three patients underwent dacryocystorhinostomy (one bilaterally), and one patient had bilateral dacryocystectomy. RESULTS: Two patients had surgical fistula closure soon after surgery. A sequential endoscopic operation for remotion of a synechia between the fistula and the middle turbinate was successful in one of these patients. Histopathologic analysis of lacrimal sacs and nasal mucous membranes close to the anastomotic site revealed chronic nonspecific inflammatory process and negative immunohistochemistry for Leishmania. CONCLUSIONS: Dacryocystitis may result from nasal mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The surgical outcome was unsatisfactory in one of the four patients.

[2 infectious granulomatous diseases (leprosy and cutaneous and mucous leishmaniasis) by scintigraphic methods]. / Contribution au début de l'étude de deux maladies infectieuses granulomateuses (la lèpre et la leishmaniose cutanée et muqueuse) par des méthodes scintigraphiques.

Leprosy is a multiform chronic infectious granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, that affects over 12 million people in the world. Cutaneous and mucous leishmaniasis (CML) is also a chronic granulomatous infectious disease, caused by Leishmania brasiliensis and transmitted to man by the mosquitoes of the Phlebotominae family. It is a worldwide spread disease. We studied one case of Borderline-wirchowian leprosy and 2 cases of CML with Gallium-67 (GA-67) scintigraphy. Ga-67 is a radiopharmaceutical known for its property of concentrating in inflammatory sites. In the leprosy patient, Ga-67 accumulated in the skin in a moderate, homogeneous and disseminated way (outlined skin); in the area of the face, the uptake was important and homogeneous (image in beard). Several internal organs accumulated Ga-67. As for the 2 CML patients, Ga-67 accumulated focally, in different degrees, in the affected anatomical areas. The leprosy patient was not under treatment and the 2 CML were under treatment (20 and 40 days, respectively). In the 3 cases, all affected areas accumulated Ga-67. Intensity differences of uptake may be explained both by different degrees of inflammatory processes (between leprosy and CML) and by treatment lasting. It is possible that Ga-67 scintigraphy may be useful for the evaluation of these 2 diseases extent and also for the therapy follow-up.