Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: case report and literature review of a rare endonasal infection

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal infection transmitted by a sandfly vector. In Germany leishmaniasis of the mucous membranes is a rare condition and usually due to extension of local skin disease into the mucosal tissue via direct extension, bloodstream or lymphatics. We report a case of endonasal leishmaniasis in a female German resident who presented in a university hospital with nasal obstruction. Histology of the left nasal septum biopsy was suggestive of leishmaniasis. The molecular detection of parasite DNA was positive for leishmania infantum. The patient was successfully treated as a case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis receiving liposomal amphotericin follow up visits showed significant improvement with no recurrence.

Keywords

• cutaneous infection
• leishmaniasis
• traveler´s diseases