Exclusive Primary Lesion of Oral Leishmaniasis with Immunohistochemical Diagnosis

A case of oral leishmaniasis without cutaneous involvement affecting the upper alveolar ridge mucosa/gingiva and the hard palate is reported in a 41-year-old Brazilian man. Microscopic examination disclosed scarce amastigotes and the definitive diagnosis was facilitated by immunohistochemical analysis. The clinical presentation of this lesion is unusual and underlies the importance of considering leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions, especially in endemic areas. A literature review of the cases of mucosal leishmaniasis with exclusive primary lesions of the oral mucosa was also performed.