title: Experience with New World cutaneous leishmaniasis in travelers.
abstract: In recent years, New World cutaneous leishmaniasis has been seen at a higher incidence among returning Israeli travelers. Leishmania braziliensis and related species cause unsightly cutaneous lesions possibly complicated with a mucosal disease. A total of 12 patients with New World cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated in our clinic, 11 of whom (92%) acquired the disease in the Bolivian Amazon Basin. Five (42%) had regional lymphadenopathy in addition to cutaneous lesions. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for 8 patients to identify the causative Leishmania species. In all, 9 patients (75%) were cured by a single course, and 3 (25%) after an additional course of intravenous sodium stibogluconate. The treatment was well tolerated clinically. Laboratory abnormalities, mainly elevation of liver enzymes (58%), were reversible. We concluded that polymerase chain reaction is a useful tool in establishing the species diagnosis of leishmaniasis and that sodium stibogluconate appears to be a safe and effective treatment for L braziliensis infection.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate