Disseminated Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Pediatric Patient from Peru

Abstract

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a disease predominantly prevalent in the tropics, considered as one of the primary neglected diseases, preferably affects individuals of low socioeconomic status. Although this condition is well described in children, disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis is a rare form of increasing importance and multiple cases observed in the adult population; however, still little described in children.

Case: We present the case of a 12-year-old male, who has multiple ulcerative and nodular lesions distributed throughout the body, of ∼1 year of evolution that did not respond to antimicrobial treatment. After the diagnostic process, positive serological tests were found for leishmaniasis, with improvement in the picture after the use of sodium stibogluconate.

Discussion: Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis is a clinical form that is described with increasing frequency and should be recognized and treated appropriately, mainly in the pediatric population, avoiding complications and sequelae.

Keywords: Latin America; diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis; leishmaniasis; neglected diseases; pediatrics.