Conjunctival leishmaniasis in a case of disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis

Ocular Leishmaniasis - A systematic review

The incidence of leishmaniasis is reported to be up to 1 million per year. To date, there has been no comprehensive review describing the diversity of clinical presentations of ocular leishmaniasis (OL) and its treatment. This systematic review aims to address this knowledge gap and provide a summary of the clinical presentation, natural course, and treatment options for OL. Our study identified a total of 57 published articles as describing cases of OL involving: adnexa (n = 26), orbit (n = 1), retina (n = 7), uvea (n = 18) and cornea (n = 6). Though well described and easily treated, palpebral leishmaniasis is often misdiagnosed and may lead to chronic issues if untreated. The retinal manifestations of Leishmaniasis consist of self-resolving hemorrhages secondary to thrombocytopenia. Two main uveitis etiologies have been identified: uveitis in the context of active Leishmanial infection (associated with immunosuppression) and uveitis occurring as an immune reconstitution syndrome. Corneal involvement in most geographic areas generally follows an aggressive course, most often ending in corneal perforation if left untreated. In the Americas, a chronic indolent interstitial keratitis may also occur. Topical steroids are of little use in keratitis (systemic antileishmanials being the cornerstone of treatment). However, these are essential in cases of uveitis, with or without concomitant systemic antileishmanial therapy. In conclusion, though ocular involvement in Leishmaniasis is rare, severe sight-threatening consequences follow if left untreated. Early diagnosis, enthusiastic follow-up and aggressive treatment are essential for good outcomes.

Case Report: Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis Masquerading as Idiopathic Midline Granulomatous Disease

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is a rare infection caused by several species within the genus Leishmania. We present a patient with multifocal MCL masquerading as idiopathic midline granulomatous disease, featuring the unusual complication of ocular leishmaniasis, as a result of prolonged immunosuppressive therapy. We review clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of this syndrome.

Noninvasive Biological Samples to Detect and Diagnose Infections due to Trypanosomatidae Parasites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Unicellular eukaryotes of the Trypanosomatidae family include human and animal pathogens that belong to the Trypanosoma and Leishmania genera. Diagnosis of the diseases they cause requires the sampling of body fluids (e.g., blood, lymph, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid) or organ biopsies (e.g., bone marrow, spleen), which are mostly obtained through invasive methods. Body fluids or appendages can be alternatives to these invasive biopsies but appropriateness remains poorly studied. To further address this question, we perform a systematic review on clues evidencing the presence of parasites, genetic material, antibodies, and antigens in body secretions, appendages, or the organs or proximal tissues that produce these materials. Paper selection was based on searches in PubMed, Web of Science, WorldWideScience, SciELO, Embase, and Google. The information of each selected article (n = 333) was classified into different sections and data were extracted from 77 papers. The presence of Trypanosomatidae parasites has been tracked in most of organs or proximal tissues that produce body secretions or appendages, in naturally or experimentally infected hosts. The meta-analysis highlights the paucity of studies on human African trypanosomiasis and an absence on animal trypanosomiasis. Among the collected data high heterogeneity in terms of the I2 statistic (100%) is recorded. A high positivity is recorded for antibody and genetic material detection in urine of patients and dogs suffering leishmaniasis, and of antigens for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Data on conjunctival swabs can be analyzed with molecular methods solely for dogs suffering canine visceral leishmaniasis. Saliva and hair/bristles showed a pretty good positivity that support their potential to be used for leishmaniasis diagnosis. In conclusion, our study pinpoints significant gaps that need to be filled in order to properly address the interest of body secretion and hair or bristles for the diagnosis of infections caused by Leishmania and by other Trypanosomatidae parasites.