Abstract:

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is rather common in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in India and Sudan, and is the main infectious source of local visceral leishmaniasis. Despite the low incidence of PKDL in China, it still occurs in kala-azar endemic areas in the western part of the country. The similarity between PKDL-induced skin nodules and the tumer-form leprosy is very likely to cause misdiagnosis and mistherapy of the two diseases. In this review, we focus on research progress on the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of PKDL, as well as proposing key points to distinguish between PKDL and cutaneous leishmaniasis, in the aim to help professionals engaged in research and control of leishmaniasis and skin diseases.

Key words: Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, Leishamania donovani complex, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Leishamania major, Leishamania tropica