Two cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Malawi

Leishmaniasis is rarely encountered in southern Africa. Two cases were diagnosed by histopathology in northern Malawi in one year. One was an 18 months old child with negative human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) serology and widespread skin lesions; the other an HIV-1 positive adult with 2 skin lesions. The Leishmania species responsible could not be identified, but the infection may be more prevalent in this region than previously thought.