A case of tonsillar leishmaniasis

Primary mucous leishmaniasis of the tonsil with satellite lymphatic spread but without visceral diffusion is presented. From fragments of the tonsils and from the satellite cervical lymph nodes it was possible to find, isolate and culture a strain of Leishmania Donovani ‘BO 72’. The diagnostic problems are discussed caused by the lack of specific clinical findings and the rarity of mucous leishmaniasis in an area frequently the site of other pathological processes.