SOUTH-AMERICAN CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS - REPORT OF 10 CASES IN ISRAELI TRAVELERS

Background Cutaneous South American leishmaniasis is caused by several species of leishmaniasis. Lack of appropriate treatment may lead to m ucocutaneous leishmaniasis, mainly with L. b. braziliensis and L. b. p anamensis. Objective To describe the clinical findings of Israeli trav elers infected with cutaneous South American leishmaniasis and to draw attention to this problem.Subjects Ten patients were interviewed, exa mined and treated. Results Twenty-two lesions of cutaneous leishmanias is were found, all in exposed areas. Patients were seen by an average three physicians (range 1-6) before the final diagnosis was confirmed by direct smear, after an average period of 125 days (range 88-270 day s). Treatment with Pentostam was started after an average period of 13 4 days (range 94-275 days). All lesions healed completely, but with sc arring. Conclusion Travelers to endemic areas, as well as physicians, should be instructed about the potential risks and the clinical manife stations of cutaneous and mucocutaneous South American leishmaniasis. Such awareness will prevent undue delay in diagnosis and treatment. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved