Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
Childhood cutaneous leishmaniasis: Experience of a Moroccan unit of dermatology
Insights
Childhood leishmaniasis predominantly affected young females, often presenting with facial ulcers. Intralesional meglumine antimoniate treatment led to favorable outcomes in all cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- This study analyzes the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of childhood leishmaniasis.
- It reviews treatment strategies and outcomes in a monocentric setting.
Discussion:
- The study highlights a female predominance in childhood leishmaniasis cases.
- Facial ulcers were the most common clinical presentation, with a significant delay in diagnosis.
Key Insights:
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis in children often presents as solitary facial ulcers.
- Diagnosis confirmation via parasitologic smear was achieved in most cases.
- Intralesional meglumine antimoniate proved effective, yielding favorable outcomes for all patients.
Outlook:
- Further research could explore optimal diagnostic timelines and treatment protocols for pediatric leishmaniasis.
- Understanding geographical risk factors is crucial for prevention in endemic areas.
Objective:
We undertook a monocentric retrospective analysis of childhood leishmaniasis in order to describe the epidemio-clinical profile, therapeutic characteristics and clinical outcomes of affected patients.
Patients And Methods:
The files of all children treated for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Dermatology Department of Ibn Sina University Hospital over an 11-year period were reviewed.
Results:
A total of thirteen children were included. The mean age was 10.2 years and the sex ratio (F/M) was 5.5. All patients lived or had stayed in an endemic area. The average delay of diagnosis was 11.8 months. The most frequent clinical finding consisted of ulcers (61.5%), usually located on the face (69.2%). The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by parasitologic smear in 76.9 percent of cases. The treatment used was intralesional meglumine antimoniate in twelve cases. The outcome was favorable in all cases.
Conclusion:
Our series is characterized by a female predominance and the patients presented with a single lesion. The lesions were frequently located on the face and a favorable outcome was obtained after treatment with intralesional meglumine antimoniate.
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...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

