Infiltrated leishmaniasis recidivans cutis on the face: A rare clinical presentation

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease caused by Leishmania and transmitted by the bite of some species of sand flies. Usually it presents with variety of clinical manifestations depending on both the infecting species of Leishmania and the immune response of the host. Leishmaniasis recidivans cutis (LRC) is a unique form of cutaneous leishmaniasis characterized by unusual clinical features and its chronic relapsing nature. It is an evolving form of cutaneous leishmaniasis which clinically presents as a spreading of the initial nodule, leading to a plaque formation simulating discoid lupus erythematosus. A clinical course of leishmania recidivans is probably related to changes in cell-mediated immunity leading to localized or diffuse lesions. We report a case that presented with infiltrated, atrophic plaque on a patient's face. Clinically, the lesion resembled the lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus and lupus vulgaris but the cutaneous biopsy proved the diagnosis to be LRC. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.