Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis:  5 point summary of highlights, further details in leishmaniasis module of Tropical Medicine teaching series

• parasitic infection transmitted by the bite of a sandfly
• distinct skin, mucocutaneous & visceral forms of infection are known
• leishmaniasis is present in one or more of its forms in the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East & Mediterranean rim, Central and South America
• some cutaneous lesions can be treated conservatively
• laboratory confirmation of diagnosis requires specialist pathology services