A Case of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with Mucosal Involvement in the Northern United States.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-26-2024
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne parasitic infection endemic to many sub-tropical regions worldwide. In the Americas, Leishmania braziliensis is responsible for most reported CL cases. Variable symptom presentation and susceptibility to secondary infection make diagnosing CL a difficult proposition for physicians who may not encounter cases frequently.
CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 50-year-old man with multiple progressive lesions, diagnosed initially as a bacterial infection, who presented to a North American emergency department after several unsuccessful trials of antibiotic therapy. Eventually, polymerase chain reaction testing of a wound biopsy sample confirmed the presence of L. braziliensis. After a complicated course, the patient's infection resolved after tailored antiparasitic therapy. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case highlights the need to include travel history in the evaluation of atypical dermatologic infections.
ISSN
0736-4679
Published In/Presented At
Graziano, T., Ferdock, A. J., Rossi, C. M., & Schultz, K. L. (2024). A Case of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with Mucosal Involvement in the Northern United States. The Journal of emergency medicine, S0736-4679(24)00017-9. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2024.01.015
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
38772754
Department(s)
Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Fellows and Residents, Department of Emergency Medicine Residents, Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article