A case with two unusual findings: cutaneous leishmaniasis presenting as panniculitis and pericarditis after antimony therapy.

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by a Protozoan. Clinically and histopathologically, it can be confused with various dermatologic diseases.

METHODS

We report a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) with two unusual findings. A 49-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with a 3-month history of multiple nodules exhibiting arciform arrangement on the lateral side of the left leg.

RESULTS

Histopathologic examination revealed it as nodular vasculitis. Leishmania smear showed suspicious parasites. Although leishmania culture was negative, PCR was positive for Leishmania. The patient was considered to have CL and was treated with systemic meglumine antimoniate for 14 d. Three days after the end of the treatment, the patient presented to emergency room with a sharp, pleuritic chest pain. He was diagnosed with pericarditis based on clinical and electrocardiogram findings. As other causes of pericarditis were absent, it was thought to be related to antimony therapy.

CONCLUSION

The histopathologic presentation of CL as panniculitis is a very rare and this is the first case of pericarditis after the antimony treatment.