Introduction. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the genus Leishmania. It is transmitted by the bite of certain species of sand fly. Three clinical types of leishmaniasis: cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral can be observed.
Objective. To underline the increased numbers of tropical diseases in our country and difficulties in cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis.
Case report. A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital after a 16-day journey to Morocco with the ulceration of the second toe of the left foot. In the local hospital, the diagnosis of leishmaniasis was excluded due to negative microbiological and serological tests. After admission to our hospital skin biopsy was performed and histopathological picture was highly suspected of leishmaniasis. Four-week therapy with ketoconazole brought a small improvement. During the next three months without treatment we observed constant improvement and complete healing with scarring.
Conclusions. Diagnosis of leishmaniasis should include histopathological examination of skin lesions. Due to increased numbers of people travelling we should expect higher numbers of leishmaniasis in Poland.