Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
Disseminated Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania major in Immunocompetent Sudanese Child
Abdelsalam Nail1, Elwaleed M Elamin2, Omaima Abdel Majeed Salih3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Omdurman Islamic University, Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital, Omdurman, Sudan.
Insights
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by Leishmania major in Sudan, can present as widespread skin lesions. Intravenous liposomal amphotericin B effectively treated a severe case in a child unresponsive to sodium stibogluconate.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Leishmania major is the primary cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sudan.
- CL typically manifests as localized skin lesions that often heal spontaneously.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old girl presented with a year-long history of extensive, progressive skin lesions across exposed areas.
- Diagnosis was confirmed via parasitology, culture, and PCR identifying Leishmania major.
Findings:
- Initial treatment with intramuscular sodium stibogluconate showed no significant improvement.
- Intravenous liposomal amphotericin B resulted in marked clinical improvement and lesion healing.
- The patient achieved full recovery after extended liposomal amphotericin B treatment.
Implications:
- Liposomal amphotericin B is an effective treatment for severe, widespread CL caused by Leishmania major.
- This case highlights the potential for severe CL presentations in Sudan.
- Successful treatment with liposomal amphotericin B offers a viable therapeutic option for refractory CL cases.
Abstract:
Leishmania major is the predominant cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sudan. The disease frequently presents as localized skin lesions that usually heals spontaneously. A 10-year-old girl from Darfur, presented to Khartoum Dermatology Hospital with a 1-year history of widespread skin lesions. The lesions began as small papules on her upper and lower limbs and progressively involved all exposed areas, including her face, over 5 months. Diagnosis was confirmed by parasitology and culture from lesions aspirates. Leishmania major was identified by polymerase chain reaction. The patient was initially treated with intramuscular sodium stibogluconate (10 mg/kg) for 1 month, with no significant improvement. Subsequently, intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (Ambisome) was administered at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg daily in dextrose 5% for 14 days. Marked clinical improvement was observed, with lesions beginning to heal. Treatment was extended for an additional 40 days. The patient showed full recovery, with healed lesions leaving scars.
