Human skin leishmaniasis is an infectious disease that spreads around the world, caused by an infection with the protozoa Leishmania, which causes heinous sores on the skin and mucous membranes of the body.
In Brazil, U.S. skin leishmaniasis, commonly known as “bauru ulcer” or “wild ulcer,” is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Lutzomyia, known as straw mosquitoes, and treatment is performed under the direction of a dermatologist, and may be necessary to use injectable drugs, called pentavalent anti-demons.
- The way to get the disease is through the bite of a mosquito.
- Which is contaminated with Leishmania after biting people or animals with the disease.
- Mainly dogs.
- Cats and mice.
- And therefore the disease is not contagious and there is no person-to-person transmission.
- Mosquitoes usually live in warm.
- Humid and dark environments.
- Especially in forests or backyards with a build-up of organic waste.
The main forms of presentation of skin leishmaniasis are
Skin leishmaniasis is the most common form of the disease and usually causes the development of a wound that:
The lesion measures from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, has a hardened consistency with raised edges and a reddish background that may contain secretions. When a bacterial infection is associated, it can cause local pain and cause purulent discharge.
In addition to the traditional localized wound, the presentation of injuries may vary, depending on the type of protozoa responsible and the immunity of the person, may also appear in the form of bumps propagated by the body or infiltrations into the skin, for example.
It is rarer, appears most of the time after the classic skin lesion, and is characterized by destructive lesions of the lining of the upper airways, such as the nose, oropharynx, palate, lips, tongue, larynx and, more difficultly, the trachea and upperpart. part of the lungs.
Redness, swelling, infiltration and ulceration can be seen in the lining and, in case of secondary bacterial infection, lesions may have purulent discharge and crusts. In addition, in the lining of the nose there may be a perforation or destruction of the cartilaginous septum and, in the mouth, there may be a perforation of the soft palate.
In most cases, the doctor can diagnose skin leishmaniasis only by looking at the lesions and informing the patient, especially when the patient lives or has been in areas affected by the parasite. However, the disease can also be mistaken for other problems such as skin tuberculosis, fungal infections or leprosy, for example.
Thus, it may also be necessary to perform a diagnostic test for which certain options exist, such as a reactive skin test for leishmaniasis, called Montenegro intradermroaction, suction or biopsy injury test, to identify the parasite, or blood tests, ELISA or PCR. .
It is important to remember that leishmaniasis can also occur in its most severe visceral form, also called kala-azar. This disease progresses very differently to skin leishmaniasis and spreads through the blood. Understands how to identify visceral leishmaniasis.
Skin leishmaniasis lesions are usually cured without treatment. However, in the case of wounds that increase in size, are very large, multiply or are located on the face, hands and joints, it may be recommended to do treatment with medications, such as creams and injections, guided by dermatologists.
The first-choice remedies for the treatment of leishmaniasis are pentavalent antimonials, which in Brazil are represented by the antimoniate of N-methylglucamine or Glucantime, made in daily, intramuscular or venous doses, for 20 to 30 days.
If wounds become infected during the healing process, it may also be advisable to seek treatment with a nurse for better care and prevent the wound from getting worse.
In addition, after healing, scars can remain on the skin and cause cosmetic changes. Therefore, it may be necessary to do psychological counseling or use plastic surgery to treat facial changes, for example.
To prevent the transmission of leishmaniasis by mosquitoes, it is important to invest in individual and collective attitudes such as:
In addition, in the presence of wounds that do not heal easily, and that may indicate this disease, it is important to seek treatment at the health center so that the appropriate causes and treatment are identified more quickly.