Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Texas: A northern spread of endemic areas.

Wright, Natalie A; Davis, Lance E; Aftergut, Kent S; Parrish, Charles A; Cockerell, Clay J · J Am Acad Dermatol · 2008

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Leishmaniasis, an infection caused by various species of Leishmania protozoa, is usually transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sandflies. The clinical presentations are extremely diverse and dependent on a variety of host and parasitic factors. Although rare in the United States, cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in south-central Texas. At this time, no autochthonous cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis are known to have been reported in north Texas. We report 9 autochthonous cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis obtained in residents of north Texas. None of these patients had any travel history to areas known to be endemic for Leishmania.

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