Mendeley  

Zotero  

Ziaei Hezarjaribi H, Fakhar M, Fallahi Lima A M, Tabaripour R, Hatamipour H, Mesgarian F. Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with Negative Direct Smear: Two Case Reports Confirmed by Molecular Diagnosis. Res Mol Med (RMM) 2026; 14 (1) :51-56
URL: http://rmm.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-620-fa.html

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a chronic parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, primarily transmitted to humans by bites of infected female sandflies.
Methods: This report describes two patients from Damghan with cutaneous lesions that were initially misdiagnosed as fungal infections. The lesions were evaluated using direct smear microscopy and a kDNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
Results: The first patient was a 5-year-old girl with a chronic lesion on her hand. Despite a negative direct smear, kDNA-based PCR confirmed CL. The second patient was a 43-year-old man with a painful ulcerative lesion on his leg. kDNA-based PCR confirmed Leishmania major infection, and the
patient improved following treatment with Glucantime.
Conclusion: Atypical CL presents diverse clinical features, especially in children, which complicate diagnosis. Increased awareness and further research are crucial to improving outcomes and refining management strategies.