American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Culture of a Leishmania species from peripheral blood leukocytes.

A Leishmania species was recovered in culture from the buffy coat of peripheral blood of a patient who had American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, although cultures of biopsy material from the skin lesions were unsuccessful. Blood culture has not previously been recommended in non-visceral leishmaniasis. The importance of recognizing this tropical disease is stressed. Blood culture may be useful in confirming the diagnosis.