Atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis
Lescure, F.X.; Bonnard, P.; Chandenier, J.; Schmit, J.L.; Douadi, Y.
Presse Medicale 31(6): 259-261
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0755-4982 PMID: 11883368 Document Number: 541498
French Guyana is an endemic area for American cutaneous leishmaniasis. At the start, the initial red lesion may be mistaken for a whitlow. Twenty percent of developed forms exhibit a sporotrichosis pattern. The notion of travel to an endemic area is very important for diagnosis. We report the case of a young man from French Guyana presenting with a cutaneous lesion of the finger. After numerous surgical treatments for a "whitlow", the final diagnosis of leishmaniasis was difficult because of local-complications and cutaneous rearrangement. Erroneous initial orientation in a unit unaware of tropical diseases can forestall appropriate care of the patients. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic data on American tegument leishmaniasis are discussed.