[Leishmaniasis : Diagnosis and therapy].

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis presents as a delayed papule after travel.
• Diagnosis relies on histological and etiological identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight diagnostic methods for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
• To emphasize the importance of identifying Leishmania subspecies for treatment selection.

Main Methods:

• Histological examination of skin biopsy.
• Giemsa staining for parasite visualization.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and culture for Leishmania identification.

Main Results:

• Histopathology reveals granulomatous inflammation with intracellular parasites in histiocytes.
• PCR and culture confirm Leishmania presence and identify subspecies.
• Subspecies identification is crucial for selecting appropriate therapy.

Conclusions:

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis should be considered in travelers with delayed papules.
• Combined histological and molecular methods ensure accurate diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.