Leprosy Associated with Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Nicaragua and Honduras.

ABSTRACT: In Central America, few cases of leprosy have been reported, but the disease may be unrecognized. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and histology. Preliminary field work in Nicaragua and Honduras found patients, including many children, with skin lesions clinically suggestive of atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis or indeterminate leprosy. Histology could not distinguish these diseases although acid-fast organisms were visible in a few biopsies. Lesions healed after standard antimicrobial therapy for leprosy. In the present study, patients, family members, and other community members were skin-tested and provided nasal swabs and blood samples. Biopsies were taken from a subgroup of patients with clinical signs of infection. Two laboratories analyzed samples, using local in-house techniq

SUBMITTER: Soto LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5637581 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature