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11:36
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
Atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis in two patients receiving low-dose methotrexate
1Department of Dermatology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK. monikasaha@doctors.net.uk
The British Journal of Dermatology
|September 13, 2006
Summary
Methotrexate therapy may increase susceptibility to cutaneous leishmaniasis, a protozoan disease. This immunosuppression could alter T-cell responses, leading to clinical leishmaniasis development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis presents significant morbidity and is increasingly reported in immunosuppressed individuals.
- Methotrexate is an immunosuppressive drug used in various conditions.
- Old World leishmaniasis species are endemic in specific geographic regions.
Observation:
- Two cases of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis occurred in patients undergoing methotrexate therapy.
- Both patients presented with clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis.
Findings:
- Methotrexate may modulate the T-cell-mediated immune response crucial for controlling leishmaniasis.
- Immunosuppression induced by methotrexate could enhance susceptibility to developing clinical leishmaniasis.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider the risk of leishmaniasis in patients on methotrexate therapy, especially in endemic areas.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which methotrexate affects leishmaniasis pathogenesis.
- This highlights the importance of monitoring immunosuppressed patients for opportunistic infections like leishmaniasis.
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