Mucosal leishmaniasis - Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis

A parasitic disease caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

It is caused by a mosquito that has been previously infected when biting an infected mammal. These tend to be domestic animals, usually dogs, but can also be wild animals or even other humans.

It usually starts with one or more ulcers on the skin, which eventually infect the mucous membranes through the lymphatic and blood vessels. Within a short time, the skin lesions heal and it is not until months or even years later that symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent fluid discharge and pain in the affected mucous membranes appear. If mucosal lesions progress, they can lead to deformity and amputation of the nose and palate.

Diagnosis is clinical by reviewing the patient's medical history and physical examination, combined with complementary tests: blood tests and tissue biopsy. Cultures of the samples obtained and/or a hypersensitivity test can be performed by injecting the antigen into the skin and observing whether it creates a skin reaction.

Treatment is based on pentavalent antimonial drugs, antifungal drugs and/or antibiotics.

The best way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites in endemic areas (Middle East, Central America, South America, Asia, Africa or Southern Europe). This can be done by wearing clothing that covers the whole body, avoiding being outdoors between sunset and sunrise, and by avoiding the use of mosquito nets. No vaccine exists to prevent it.