Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Infections with Leishmania spp. rank among the top three most common travel-associated dermatoses. Depending on the country where the infection was acquired and the patient's immune status, different disease manifestations may be observed. Ninety percent of cases present as cutaneous leishmaniasis, but the infection may also affect internal organs (visceral leishmaniasis). Without treatment, the latter is often fatal. Intermediate types include recurrent, diffuse, or mucocutaneous forms. Nodular lesions on exposed skin with a tendency to ulcerate over time in combination with a travel history should therefore prompt workup for leishmaniasis. The diagnosis is made through histology, parasite culture, and PCR using biopsy material. Therapeutic options range from local therapies in cases with singular lesions to systemic therapy in patients with more severe forms. The present review discusses the most important clinical features, details about diagnostic measures, and current therapeutic approaches.