 |
| Fig. 33.8 Cutaneous leishmaniasis |
Leishmaniasis, also known as Baghdad boil,
kala-azar, espundia, oriental sore, and a variety
of other colorful terms, is caused by
Leishmania species, a protozoan parasite with a multicontinental
distribution. Biting sand flies (
Phlebotomus species)
spread the disease between humans and a large
variety of wild and domestic animal reservoirs.
Several species and subspecies of
Leishmania may
produce infection, and the clinical manifestations and
disease severity are generally species specific. Most
forms cause nodules and chronic ulcerations of the
skin that can spread lymphatically and lead to
widespread cutaneous disease (Fig. 33-8).
Markle WH, Makhoul K: Cutaneous leishmaniasis: recognition
and treatment,
Am Fam Physician 69:1455–1460, 2004.
