Abstract
Background:: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by different Leishmania species. L. infantum is found in the Mediterranean area. It usually causes visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis, but rarely mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). Methods:: A 62-year-old man with metastatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma visited the outpatient clinic because of a painful and swollen tongue. Initially, oral candidiasis was suspected and patient was unsuccessfully treated accordingly. Subsequently, a biopsy from the tongue was taken. Results:: Histology of the tongue biopsy showed an inflammation with histiocytes and Leishmania amastigotes. Molecular analysis determined these parasites as L. donovani complex. Based on the patient's travel history, ML caused by L. infantum was diagnosed. Conclusion:: ML is an unusual presentation of L. infantum. ML is not only caused by Leishmania species endemic in Latin America, but also should be considered in the differential diagnosis for European patients. A biopsy of the affected location is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 109-112 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| Volume | 113 |
| Early online date | 28 Sept 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to thank Suzanna Broerse (Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands) for supplying specific clinical information and Klaas Hoogduin (Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands) for analysing and describing the histologic specimen. Titia Kortbeek (Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands) is thanked for the primary molecular diagnosis of ML and Leishmania species determination in the first biopsy specimen.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors
