A case report of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a misleading clinical presentation

Background The diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is often difficult because of the diversity of clinical presentations, its often-misleading appearance and the very long incubation period (time between the endemic stay and the onset of skin lesions). Case We report the case of an otherwise healthy 67-year-old man who presented with inflammatory skin lesions on the scalp and face for the past 7 years. The lesions were first mistaken as cutaneous sarcoidosis, mycobacterial infection, and cutaneous lymphoma. Finally, the diagnosis was made by RT-PCR analysis on a punch-biopsy specimen, which was positive for Leishmania infantum . Discussion and conclusion To date, the choice of treatment for complex cutaneous leishmaniases is based on the Leishmania species. Our patient successfully responded to liposomal amphotericin B.