Leishmaniasis

John N. Gayk, MD and Erik R. Clauson, DO Reviewed 06/2019

BASICS

A clinically diverse group of infections caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania (transmitted by a bite from an infected female sandfly), ranging from a single self-healing ulcer (cutaneous)...

DIAGNOSIS

Signs and symptoms consistent with leishmaniasis in individuals from an endemic area or history of travel to an endemic area: chronic cutaneous ulcer; acutely febrile patients; fulminant dis...

TREATMENT

Treat under the supervision of, or in consultation with, a physician experienced in the management of leishmaniasis.
- Contact the CDC at (800) CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or 404-718-4745 (HCPs o...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months to evaluate treatment effectiveness and to detect relapses
- Lesion size should decrease by 2/3 by ...

REFERENCES

Alvar J, Vélez ID, Bern C, et al; and WHO Leishmaniasis Control Team. Leishmaniasis worldwide and global estimates of its incidence. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e35671. [View Abstract on Ovi...

ADDITIONAL READING

Aronson N, Herwaldt B, Libman M, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis: clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American ...

CODES

ICD10

B55.9 Leishmaniasis, unspecified
B55.1 Cutaneous leishmaniasis
B55.0 Visceral leishmaniasis
B55.2 Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis

ICD9

085.9 Leishmaniasis, unspecified
085.4 Cutaneous leishmaniasis, ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

A nonhealing cutaneous ulcer in a patient with the appropriate history of travel to endemic area is leishmaniasis until proven otherwise.
Consider VL in febrile travelers with organomeg...

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