Leishmaniasis recidivans among school children in Bam, South-east Iran, 1994-2006.
BACKGROUND
Leishmaniasis recidivans (LR) is a rare phenomenon in the world with high morbidity in children.


METHODS
Overall 22 838 school children were examined during 1994-2006. Diagnosis was performed by combination of methods as clinical appearance, direct smears, cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histology.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight cases were diagnosed as LR with duration of lesions varying from 2 to 8 years and diameter of lesions 1-5 cm, yellowish-brown appearance with papules around or in the scar. Most of the lesions (95%) were on the face. No amastigote was found in direct smears. Identification of nine random isolates by PCR confirmed all species to be L. tropica. Tissue sections showed typical granulomatous reactions with various inflammatory cells but no visible amastigote was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of LR as an important cause of morbidity has future implications for treatment regimens and immunoprophylaxis.
Leishmaniasis Research Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. iraj.sharifi@yahoo.com
Iraj
I
Sharifi
Ali Reza
AR
Fekri
Mohammad Reza
MR
Aflatoonian
Ali
A
Khamesipour
Fereidoun
F
Mahboudi
Yahya
Y
Dowlati
Abolhassan
A
Nadim
Farrokh
F
Modabber
D000293:Adolescent; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D000493:Allopurinol; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate