Leishmaniasis and other dermatozoonoses in Brazil

Abstract

Dermatozoonosis can be defined as any skin alteration caused by occasional or permanent noxious action of protozoans, coelenterates, insects, and larvae, acting as parasites or not, in any phase of their biologic cycle. The harmful effect of these diseases occurs by toxic action of substances in contact with the skin, direct contact with the body of certain aggressors, inoculation of toxic substances through stings or bites, and finally by the agent’s penetration of and permanent residence inside the skin. This permanence can be forever, during certain phases of the biologic cycle of the aggressor, or as a way by which the parasite reaches other organs. Parasitic agents may exclusively affect humans or other animals, and stings, bites, or contact with the body or substances cause nonparasitic lesions. This group constitutes a very large subject in dermatology, with a great variety of diseases. Most of the dermatozoonoses have an exclusive regional pattern, and for this reason the present article will emphasize leishmaniasis, besides creeping eruption, myiasis, schistosomiasis, and tungiasis, mainly as they are seen in Brazil. Leishmaniasis Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania, transmitted from animals to humans by the bite of an infected female sand fly. There is a large spectrum of clinical forms, including those that affect skin, mucosa, or internal organs.1,2