Leishmaniasis: the touch preparation as a rapid means of diagnosis.
A 31-year-old man from Yemen presented with a 6-month history of a nonhealing ulcerated plaque on his right elbow. Initial evaluation included hematoxylin-and-eosin and Giemsa stains of a skin biopsy specimen. These preparations were interpreted as consistent with leishmaniasis, but no organisms were seen. A second biopsy specimen was obtained for culture on special media. A touch preparation demonstrated amastigotes, and cultures demonstrated leishmanial organisms at 2 weeks. The touch preparation as a rapid means of diagnosing leishmaniasis is discussed in detail, and a review of leishmanial disease and treatment is presented.
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D003470:Culture Media