Laryngeal leishmaniasis: case report of a rare infection.

BACKGROUND

We report a case of laryngeal leishmaniasis in a United Kingdom (UK) resident who lived in Spain for 5 years.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The patient presented with a history of hoarseness. He had returned to the UK after spending 5 years in Spain as a retiree. His past medical history includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Histology of a vocal cord biopsy was suggestive of leishmaniasis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was positive for Leishmania donovani. His use of steroid inhaler probably contributed to his acquiring this extremely unusual infection. He was successfully treated with intravenous amphotericin.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngeal leishmaniasis is an extremely rare infection and is rarely reported in the UK. The ease of travel ensures that many tropical infections may present to UK clinicians.