A study was earned out to identify Leishmania species involved in skin lesions of patients from Cosmõpolis and Indaiatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The epidemiological data of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two cities suggested a epidemic situation in 1994. The lesions were clinically characteristic of cutaneous leishmaniasis and five out six patients responded positively to Montenegro's intradermal test. The histopathology of skin lesions were characterized by two patterns: exsudative- cellular reaction and exsudative granulomatous reaction. The clinical and histopathological parameters suggested Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis as the possible etiologic agent. In agreement, it was difficult to isolate and mantain the parasite in the laboratory. Characterization by in situ hybridization with kDNA amastigotes from lesions fragments confirmed that Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis was the parasite responsible for the studied cutaneous lesions.
Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Human leishmaniasis; Diagnosis