Leishmanin Skin Testing in the Diagnosis of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Abstract
Two hundred thirty‐three British troops were tested before and 2 months after a 6‐month period in Belize. No erythematous indurated reactions developed on the initial tests; four subjects developed such reactions on the second test. Three of these subjects had skin ulcer at the time of the second test the fourth developed an ulcer 2 weeks later.Leishmania braziliensis sp were isolated from all of these ulcers. Two subjects who showed no reaction on either of their tests developed skin ulcers within 1 month of the second test. Leishmania braziliensis sp were isolated from these ulcers. The leishmanin test performed 2 months after return from an endemic area does not provide a satisfactory screening test for leishmaniasis. An indurated reaction correlates well with the presence of disease, but a negative reaction does not exclude this developing later.

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