General Medical Information

Leishmaniasis

Mark C. Littlejohn
Byron J. Bailey
John K. Yoo

Sandfly bites are responsible for the transmission of several species of Leishmania, which cause leishmaniasis. Lesions may be cutaneous or mucocutaneous. The cutaneous form most commonly occurs on the extremities, although the head and neck may be affected. Papules that progress to ulceration and encrustation are characteristic. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, also called espundia, exhibits an initial lesion on the extremity, with bloodborne spread to the oral cavity and oropharynx. Months or years later, progressive inflammation and destruction of the soft tissues of the mouth and nose may occur. Diagnosis of both forms is established by biopsy. Patients are treated with pentostam.