Leishmaniasis caused by different New and Old World
species and strains of Leishmania (L. Mexicana amazonensis, L. M. Pifanoi, possibly L. M. Garnhami and L. M. Venezuelensis; in Ethiopia, L. Aethiopica, and unidentified leishmanial agents in Namibia and Tanzania). The
condition is
associated with a suppressed cell-mediated
immune response, so that the non-ulcerating, non-necrotizing
cutaneous lesions can
spread widely over the body; great numbers of parasite-filled macrophages are found in the
dermal lesions. Healing does not appear to occur unless an
acquired cellular hypersensitivity can develop.
Synonym:
anergic leishmaniasis,
diffuse leishmaniasis,
disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis,
leishmaniasis tegumentaria diffusa, pseudolepromatous leishmaniasis.