Leishmaniasis of the Lip : Report of a Case

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by a protozoan flagellate of the genus Leishmania. This parasite infects numerous mammal species including humans. It is transmitted through the infective bite of a sand fly called phlebotominae. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is the most common form of Leishmaniasis. We present the case of a 47 years- old man who came to our Department of oral and maxillo-facial surgery, complaining about a painless lesion on his lower lip. After removal of the lesion and microscopic examination, the diagnosis of Leishmaniasis was made. This clinical case illustrates that the differential diagnosis of a nodular painless lesion of the lip must include rare diagnosis like a cutaneous Leishmaniasis, especially in patient from a geographic origin which represents an area at risk for Leishmaniasis.