title: Tegumentary leishmaniasis: a diagnostic approach considering aspects of the cytological examination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elaborate figures that highlight the microscopic appearance of amastigote forms of the genus Leishmania and other structures subject to confusion during the routine of the direct examination of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL).
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed imprint and scraping slides previously prepared from patients with a definite diagnosis. Smear examinations were performed with an immersion objective (×1,000) selecting structures of interest for photodocumentation and elaboration of the illustrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We elaborated two 13 × 17 cm figures containing photomicrographs of amastigote forms with typical and atypical morphology of Leishmania parasites and other microorganisms, mainly fungi in the yeast-like phase and bacteria which could be confused with amastigote forms during the direct examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The production of material like we show here is important and should be encouraged because of the need for constant training of professionals working in the area of TL diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Leishmaniasis Surveillance, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cintia Xavier
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: de Mello
authors.forename: Luan Hugolino
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: de Morais
authors.forename: Armando de Oliveira
authors.initials: Ade O
authors.lastname: Schubach
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Madeira
mesh_terms: D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013048:Specimen Handling