Lip Leishmaniasis with Oral-mucosal Involvement: A Case Report

Abstract

Statement of the problem: Nowadays leishmaniasis is a common infectious disease around the world which is caused by a protozoan parasite named Leishmania. This parasite is transmitted to human by an infected female sand fly. This disease has three clinical forms; mucosal forms are rare in Iran. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report a case of leishmaniasis with lip and oral mucosal involvement that healed successfully. Results: This article is about patients with lip leishmaniasis with oral-mucosal involvement, clinical features were diffuse lip swelling and ulcer in right lower lip vermilion and buccal mucosa. A smear was caught which proved the diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Thereafter, the patients were referred to a dermatologist for treatment and follow up showed complete healing of the lesions. Conclusion: Oral mucosal leishmaniasis is rare. However, the swelling may cause different complications like loss of teeth or respiratory obstruction. It should be noted that time is a key point in treatment.  So, it is necessary for us to train the differential diagnosis of chronic ulcerated oral lesions to our dentists.