Leishmaniasis endemic in North Texas

Via ProMED-mail: UT Southwestern reports that Leishmania mexicana should be considered endemic in North as well as South Texas.

North Texas doctors must have a high index of suspicion and understand that this organism must now be considered endemic in this area, said Dr. Kent Aftergut, a clinical instructor of dermatology at UT Southwestern and in private practice at Methodist Charlton Medical Center.
“Luckily, all of the leishmaniasis cases in North Texas that have been cultured have grown Leishmania mexicana, which is less dangerous than other forms of the parasite,” he said. “It makes skin sores, but the infection doesn’t spread and become a full body disease like some of the others species of Leishmania. Usually, if patients have a normal immune system, the sores will resolve in six to 12 months and won’t make the patients ill.”