Leishmania donovanimucosal leishmaniasis in Malta

Abstract

We report a case of a 76-year-old British man living in Malta who presented with a 7-month history of recurrent epistaxis and an enlarging right nasal vestibular lesion. Of note, his medical history included rheumatoid arthritis for which he was on long-term methotrexate. Blood results were unremarkable other than a mild lymphopaenia. Despite the use of various antibiotics and intranasal steroids, the lesion failed to resolve. This was eventually biopsied, and the histological picture was that of mucosal leishmaniasis. Leishmania donovani complex was detected by PCR. The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B on alternate days for a total of 20 doses. The lesion was found to have healed well at follow-up and the patient denied any further episodes of epistaxis.

Unusual Observations in Leishmaniasis—An Overview

“…Sudanese MCL and classical VL, caused by L. donovani , can be differentiated with the former possessing characteristics resembling those of L. major [ 193 , 194 ]. Lesions on the perioral mucosa sublingual space, gingiva and palate have been attributed to MCL due to L. donovani in patients from India, Sri Lanka and Malta [ 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 ]. Other complications are recurrent epistaxis, nasal obstruction and granular lesions on the uvula, soft palate and tonsils [ 199 ].…”

Dynamics and Energetics of a Bromodomain in complex with bromosporine from Leishmania donovani

“…One of these parasites is Leishmania. Leishmania are unicellular parasites that cause human and animal illness, considered as a neglected tropical disease, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, resulting in a wide range of pathologies [4]- [6]. Leishmania (L.) donovani, is a species of this group of parasites that causes highly virulent fatal visceral leishmaniasis.…”

Recurrent mucosal leishmaniasis of the epiglottis in an immunosuppressed patient

“…Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania and are known more than 20 species [1] harmful for men. Humans, dogs and rodents act as reservoirs [2] and its transmission to humans is through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sand-fly of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia) and Lutzomyia in America [3] . Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. ariasi are the vector species in Portugal [4] .…”

“…Leishmaniasis incidence is higher in patients receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressant, or who are HIV positive. These patients also tend to have a worse prognosis and a greater chance of relapse [2] .…”