Case of multiple lesion mucocutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection

Abstract

A case of leishmaniasis with multiple lesions due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infections was diagnosed in a male patient from north-east Brazil. The skin lesions were nodular and pustular and progressed to ulcers. Skin and the oral mucosae were also affected. The behaviour in culture and hamsters of the parasite recovered from a skin lesion was similar to other strains of L. (V.) braziliensis and the strain was characterized by monoclonal antibodies as belonging to serodeme I of this species. The histopathology of the skin lesions of the patient and hamster were of an inflammatory nature which extended through the dermis; leishmania in the tissues were more easily detected by the immunoenzymatic PAP method.