Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis in 2 travelers

PCR: polymerase chain reaction INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease endemic to 88 countries on 5 continents. It is estimated that there are 1 to 1.5 million cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis among local populations, but leishmaniasis also commonly affects travelers to these endemic countries. Leishmaniasis is caused by parasitic protozoa in the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies, and is divided into 2 categories: Old World and New World. Old World leishmaniasis is considered mostly benign and self-limited, whereas NewWorld species are able to cause a wide array of clinical manifestations, from benign to life-threatening disease. Through dissemination via blood, lymph, and local extension, NewWorld Leishmania species can cause mucosal and visceral involvement. Although mucosal leishmaniasis was originally attributed exclusively to Leishmania braziliensis, it is now known that Leishmania panamensis, Leishmania guyanensis, and Leishmania peruviana, all of the Viannia subgenuses found in Central and South America, may also cause mucosal involvement. Herein, we present an uncommon case of New World leishmaniasis in 2 travelers returning to the United States.