Cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Sudan

Abstract
The epidemiology, clinical features, pathology, immunology and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Sudan are described. The majority of patients came from kala-azar endemic areas of the central Sudan. The aetiology of the disease is discussed. Clinically the lesions are divided into 3 types but with rare exceptions the pathological changes in all types are essentially the same. Immunoglobulins IgG and IgM are elevated in cutaneous, mucosal and visceral leishmaniasis, but IgA is only significantly increased in the mucosal type. Compared with the other forms of leishmaniasis the cutaneous disease shows the lowest levels of fluorescent antibodies. In the Sudan cutaneous leishmaniasis responds well to sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam). The results of leishmanin skin test surveys carried out in 3 different regions of the country are reported and discussed.

This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit: