[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in polymyositis].

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis is increasing, especially in immunocompromized subjects.

CASE RECORD: We report a case of particular interest, where a patient with steroid refractory polymyositis developed cutaneous leishmaniasis. Clinical outcome was favorable after institution of intralesional antimony therapy.

DISCUSSION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is still recognized to be an opportunistic infection. Its frequency is indeed higher in immunocompromized subjects, mainly HIV-infected patients. In our patient, both polymyositis and steroid therapy were predisposing factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis onset; prednisone therapy has been postulated to be associated with immune dysfunction leading to: reduced blood T cells' levels (CD4 et CD8) as well as decreased cytokine synthesis (e.g. interferon gamma).