title: Diagnostic dilemma of primary mucosal leishmaniasis.
abstract: Leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania protozoa. It is widely present in more than 88 countries worldwide, resulting in up to 80,000 deaths annually. Leishmaniasis occurs as visceral, cutaneous, or mucocutaneous variants. Mucosal involvement can occur secondarily to the cutaneous or visceral varieties. However, primary mucosal leishmaniasis (PML) occurs without any present or past cutaneous and or visceral disease. It is extremely rare, and its diagnosis may present a serious challenge. It may be difficult to differentiate it from granulomatous conditions like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, leprosy, fungal infections, Wegener's granuloma, and neoplasms. Here, we present a case of PML in Saudi Arabia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mubarak S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Al-Qahtani
authors.forename: Nadeem W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Taj E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Mekki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000469:parasitology*; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D012529:Saudi Arabia
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate