Efficacy of fibroblast transplantation in the healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis scar: A case report

Abstract

Autologous fibroblast transplantation has been proven to be a promising method in wound healing with no side effects. This is the first study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of autologous fibroblast cell injection to the atrophic scar caused by cutaneous leishmaniasis as an endemic disease in many middle-eastern countries. It causes chronic skin lesions and permanently disfiguring scars. Autologous fibroblasts were obtained from the patient’s ear skin and were injected intradermally twice at 2-month intervals. Outcomes were measured using ultrasonography, VisioFace, and Cutometer. No adverse reaction was observed. The results showed improvements in epidermal thickness and density, melanin level, and skin lightening. Moreover, the skin elasticity in the scar area increased after the second transplantation. No improvement was observed in dermal thickness and density. A longer follow-up with more patients is recommended to investigate the effectiveness of fibroblast transplantation better.