Clinical characteristics and diagnosis of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in patients of an endemic area in Salta.

A total of 39 patients with a clinical diagnosis of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, in an endemic area for leishmaniasis in Salta, Argentina, were examined between June 1990 and December 1992. Of these cases, 87% (34/39) presented the cutaneous simple form, 10.3% the cutaneous multiple form and 2.6% the mucosal form. Lesions were more frequently located in legs and arms (71.8%), followed by trunk and multiple location (10.3%). Of the patients, 43% were housewives, students or children, suggesting that the infection could be contracted in the domestic or peridomestic environment. Of 39 patients diagnosed, in 22 (56.4%) the parasite was found. Direct microscopy (smear) permitted a diagnosis in 13 (59.4%) of these 22 patients. Among these, 5 (22.7%) had positive diagnosis by culture, and 9 (40.9%) by inoculation in hamsters. Ten parasite isolates (45.4%) were obtained. The smear is recommended as a diagnostic method for epidemiological surveillance due to the sensibility demonstrated herein and its easy application in the endemic area. The time of clinical evolution, from the appearance of the lesion up to the detection of the patient by Sanitary Agents, was approximately 90 days. This would be related to the frequency of the visits, usually every 3 months. Only one of 30 treated patients had a relapse at 6 months, due to non fulfillment of the treatment.