Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease that has high morbidity. There have been increasing reports of leishmaniasis in patients with an underlying immunosuppressed state. We present two cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Old World species in patients on methotrexate therapy. We postulate that the T-cell-mediated response to leishmaniasis infection could be modulated by methotrexate and may render an immunosuppressed individual more susceptible to developing clinical disease.
A 71-year old white man presented with a 2-month history of bilateral forearm ulceration, which was managed with dressings by his primary care practitioner. On direct questioning, he described 'bumps' forming under the skin, which would then 'crust over and break down'. He had a history of bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring home oxygen. He had undergone successful fullthickness forearm skin grafts 10 months earlier for bilateral necrotic cellulitis. He was on a number of regular medications, which included prednisolone 15 mg daily, which he had been taking for many years.On physical examination, painful superficial ulceration was seen, affecting both forearms and extending onto the dorsal hand. The ulcers were noninflammatory and did not have an undermined edge (Fig. 1). Proximal to both elbows were three nodules, one of which was ulcerated. An incisional biopsy was taken from one of these. Histopathological findingsSkin biopsy showed surface ulceration and a diffuse dermal infiltrate of histiocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes. Most histiocytic intracellular vacuoles contained pale basophilic bodies (Fig. 2).Blood tests revealed neutrophilia (10.3 9 10 9 /L; normal range 1.5-7 9 10 9 /L) and lymphopenia (0.61 9 10 9 /L; 1.5-4 9 10 9 /L), HIV antibody was negative, and there was a stable IgG lambda paraprotein at 1 g/L with no evidence of immune paresis. Direct microscopy of the tissue specimen stained with the optical brightener Calcofluor revealed multiple spherical budding organisms (Fig. 3a). Indian ink stain highlighted encapsulated structures (Fig. 3b). The tissue was cultured on Sabouraud glucosepeptone agar at 37°C, and colonies grew after 48 h (Fig. 3c).What is your diagnosis?
Nail surgery is performed to aid diagnosis and treatment of nail disease. A survey was conducted to determine whether patients understood the nature and consequences of nail surgery at the time of consent and to ascertain the most important aspects of morbidity after the procedure. The results identified that most patients understood the nature of their surgery and the immediate postoperative limitations they would face. Pain was short-lived, with no patients requiring analgesics after 6 weeks. The most important finding from this survey was that sensory disturbance was recorded by a large proportion (47%; 29/62) of patients. Of these, 35% (22/62) recorded either complete or partial resolution by 6-12 months after surgery, but 11% (7/62) noted no improvement. This is a point that is not made clear in standard surgical texts. The significance of dysaesthesia of a fingertip must be considered when counselling a patient before surgery.
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