Cutaneous leishmaniasis of the Old World. 2003

A A Alrajhi
Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne protozoal infection of the skin. Several species of Leishmania cause this disease in the Old World. It is manifested as chronic nodular to ulcerative lesions of the skin, which last for many months and may be disfiguring. They eventually heal leaving a scar. Local care of the lesion and treatment of secondary bacterial infection are essential for healing. Antileishmania therapy is indicated in immunocompromised hosts, patients with progressive, multiple, or critically located lesions. Pentavalent antimony compounds remain the main therapeutic option for all species. They are given intravenously (i.v.), intramuscularly (i.m.), or intralesionally. Cryotherapy, and some systemic antifungal agents have been used successfully. Oral azoles are promising new treatments for lesions caused by L. Major. Several other alternatives and their evidence are also presented.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000981 Antiprotozoal Agents Substances that are destructive to protozoans. Schizonticides,Agents, Antiprotozoal
D016773 Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous An endemic disease that is characterized by the development of single or multiple localized lesions on exposed areas of skin that typically ulcerate. The disease has been divided into Old and New World forms. Old World leishmaniasis is separated into three distinct types according to epidemiology and clinical manifestations and is caused by species of the L. tropica and L. aethiopica complexes as well as by species of the L. major genus. New World leishmaniasis, also called American leishmaniasis, occurs in South and Central America and is caused by species of the L. mexicana or L. braziliensis complexes. Leishmaniasis, American,Leishmaniasis, New World,Leishmaniasis, Old World,Oriental Sore,American Leishmaniasis,Cutaneous Leishmaniases,Cutaneous Leishmaniasis,Leishmaniases, Cutaneous,New World Leishmaniasis,Old World Leishmaniasis,Sore, Oriental

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