Mucosal leishmaniasis in a Sudanese patient

Abstract

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is an oral disease caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani. The disease has been proven to be pandemic in many areas of the world. It affects young men living in leishmaniasis-endemic areas. ML might be accompanied or proceeded by visceral leishmaniasis (VL), although in most of the cases seen in Sudan, ML occurs as a primary lesion. ML can mimic oral cancer or fungal infections, with ulceration as the most common finding in ML lesions. In this report, the patient came from an area known to be endemic for VL. Although the lesions were not ulcerative, the patient history was indicative for ML. Early detection and proper diagnosis were of great help in the cure and prognosis of the disease.