[Current aspects of endemic mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil]

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis has a large incidence in Brazil. Biochemical, immunological and biological studies have characterized three disease agents: Leishmania mexicana amazonensis, Leishmania brasiliensis guyanensis and Leishmania brasiliensis brasiliensis; these have distinct geographical distributions. The last one is the most common and is the most difficult to treat. Destructive mucosal lesions can occur days, months or years after the cutaneous lesions. The Montenegro intradermal test, biopsy, smears of the border of ulcers and indirect immunofluorescence are the auxiliary diagnostic methods currently in use. The only effective drugs for the treatment of this disease are pentavalent antimonials and amphotericin B. After clinical cure, relapses can occur, and there are rare cases with mucosal lesions that are resistant to all forms of treatment.