Case Report: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis-A Hidden Disease in Côte d'Ivoire

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is classified as one of the skin-related neglected tropical diseases by the WHO. There have been limited reports of CL in Côte d'Ivoire, with fewer than 20 cases reported from Côte d'Ivoire in the literature since 1967, when it was first identified. Here, we report a case of CL originating in Côte d'Ivoire that we diagnosed during our active case finding activity in the Zounan Hounien District. The patient, a 15-year-old male, presented with multiple noninflammatory skin lesions on the face and trunk that had progressed from nodular to ulcerated lesions over the previous 3 months. Concurrent symptoms included fever, chest pain, cough, and malaise. Investigations for infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis returned negative results. Histopathological analysis of a skin biopsy specimen from the nasal base demonstrated the presence of Leishman-Donovan bodies, confirming a diagnosis of CL. Although treatment with intralesional meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) injections was intended, the drug could not be administered because the patient unfortunately died shortly after our consultation visit. Because of the rarity of CL in Côte d'Ivoire, awareness remains low, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Urgent strategies to improve awareness of CL among clinicians practicing in Côte d'Ivoire is required, first to appropriately diagnose and treat CL and second to generate epidemiological data of adequate quality.