[Cutaneous leishmaniasis and multidermatomic herpes zoster]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis is typically treated with meglumine antimoniate (glucantime).
• Meglumine antimoniate can cause adverse effects, including renal and hepatic impairment.
• Rarely, reactivation of latent viral infections like varicella-zoster virus has been associated with antimonial therapy.

Observation:

• A patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis presented with disseminated herpes zoster multiplex during treatment with meglumine antimoniate.
• Other potential causes of immunosuppression were systematically excluded.
• The patient's clinical presentation suggested a link between the leishmaniasis treatment and the viral reactivation.

Findings:

• Acyclovir therapy was initiated for the herpes zoster multiplex infection.
• The patient's case highlights a potential, albeit infrequent, complication of standard leishmaniasis treatment.
• Prompt diagnosis and management of viral reactivation are crucial in immunocompromised patients.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of monitoring for opportunistic infections during leishmaniasis treatment.
• Clinicians should consider viral reactivation in patients presenting with unusual dermatological conditions while on meglumine antimoniate.
• Further research may elucidate the precise mechanisms linking antimonial drugs to viral reactivation and inform treatment guidelines.