Cold cellulitis. An unusual presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Authors

• Hamdi H. Shelleh, Department of Dermatology, Najran General Hospital, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (7) 5420995. Fax. +966 (7) 5421932. E-mail: hhs_s2000{at}hotmail.com
• Sarosh A. Khan, Department of Medicine, Najran General Hospital, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Abdul M. Al-Shayeb, Department of Surgery, Najran General Hospital, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Hussni Al-Hateeti, Department of Medicine, Najran General Hospital, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Latif A. Khan, Department of Medicine, Najran General Hospital, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Mohammad N. Kasabah, Department of Dermatology, Al-Rass General Hospital, Al-Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

We describe a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis, which presented as what we call "cold cellulitis". This may be differentiated from classical cellulitis/erysipelas by 1. Lesser local reaction like pain and tenderness 2. No systemic symptoms 3. No leucocytosis 4. Negative bacteriological and serological assay for bacterial cellulitis/erysipelas, 5. Longer course of illness and 6. Failure to respond to antibiotics. However, awareness of this type and frequent skin smears or skin biopsy will settle the right diagnosis. A review of different leishmanial presentations is given for comparison.

Article Type

Case Report

First Page

1002

Last Page

1004

Recommended Citation

Shelleh, Hamdi H.; Khan, Sarosh A.; Al-Shayeb, Abdul M.; Al-Hateeti, Hussni; Khan, Latif A.; and Kasabah, Mohammad N. (2002) "Cold cellulitis. An unusual presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 23: Iss. 8, Article 22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.1800