Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in polymyositis]
1Département de Médecine Interne, CHU Rouen-Boisguillaume, 76031 Rouen cedex, France. isabelle.marie@chu-rouen.fr
Introduction:
The prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis is increasing, especially in immunocompromized subjects.
Case Record:
We report a case of particular interest, where a patient with steroid refractory polymyositis developed cutaneous leishmaniasis. Clinical outcome was favorable after institution of intralesional antimony therapy.
Discussion:
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is still recognized to be an opportunistic infection. Its frequency is indeed higher in immunocompromized subjects, mainly HIV-infected patients. In our patient, both polymyositis and steroid therapy were predisposing factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis onset; prednisone therapy has been postulated to be associated with immune dysfunction leading to: reduced blood T cells' levels (CD4 et CD8) as well as decreased cytokine synthesis (e.g. interferon gamma).
Related Concept Videos
Leishmaniasis
Antiprotozoal Agents
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
