Diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy: report of a case.

A case of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy is presented. The cytologic smears revealed lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages. Large numbers of Leishmania organisms were present within the macrophages and in the intercellular spaces. Part of the material was used for a microbiologic culture, which revealed large numbers of promastigotes. These were studied by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy.