Amputation of a type II diabetic patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major

Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases of public health concern in Algeria. The immunocompromised patients with HIV, autoimmune diseases, or chronic alcohol abuse are at a higher risk of leishmaniasis. Herein, we present the case of an immunocompetent diabetic patient infected by Leishmania major, leading to life-threatening consequences.

An Algerian diabetic patient developed a cutaneous lesion with large polymorphous inflamed granuloma and pyoderma gangrenosum in the left foot, following L. major infection. A delayed follow-up led to a treatment failure, resulting in the amputation.

This report highlights the absence of timely treatment of Leishmania infection as a life-threatening point among high-risk diabetic patients. Clinicians should be aware of this parasitosis leading to severe complications in diabetic patients.