Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to a New World species of Leishmania is increasingly seen among returning international travelers, and most cases arise from travel to Mexico, Central and South America. We described a case of CL in a women presenting a nonhealing ulceration under her right ear with slight increase of size of the left parotid gland under the skin lesion, evolving for 4 months. In her history of travel, she reported a ten-day stay in Mexico during the Christmas vacation in the Yucatan region with only half a day walking in the tropical forest. Diagnosis of CL due to Leishmania mexicana was done via PCR detection and sequencing from swab sampling of the lesion. The patient recovered without antiparasitic treatment. Clinicians should consider diagnosing Chiclero’s ulcer in patients returning from endemic areas such as Central America and Texas who present with chronic ulceration. A noninvasive sampling is sufficient for the PCR-based diagnosis of this disease.
Highlights
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania species of the New World is increasingly seen among returning international travelers, and most cases arise from travel to Mexico, Central and/or South America [1]
L. mexicana infection is called the “Chiclero’s ulcer”, because it was first described in Mexican “Chicleros”: forest workers of the Yucatan peninsula who collected the gum of chicozapote tropical trees that was used in the confection of chewing gum (“Chiclets” in Spanish) [3]
We report a case of Chiclero’s ulcer in a traveler returning from Mexico
Summary
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania species of the New World is increasingly seen among returning international travelers, and most cases arise from travel to Mexico, Central and/or South America [1]. In Mexico and Central America, Leishmania mexicana is endemic and extends north into central Texas [2]. The vectors of this infection are Lutzomyia sand flies that transmit Leishmania among different mammalian reservoirs (rodents, opossums, armadillos, cats and dogs) [2]. The clinical presentation is characterized by a single ulceration classically associated with involvement of the ear [3]. We report a case of Chiclero’s ulcer in a traveler returning from Mexico. A review of the literature about CL due to this species in travelers was conducted
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
