Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis overview
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis. It is a skin infection caused by a single-celled parasite that is transmitted by sand-fly bites. There are about 20 species of Leishmania that may cause cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Causes
Causes
Leishmaniasis is caused by obligate intracellular protozoan parasites; approximately 20 Leishmania species cause CL.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]