ABSTRACT
Historical cases indicated the possible existence of both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Sri Lanka since long. Lack of confirmatory evidence in the reported cases and lack of suspicion may have led to silent disease progression in the country until recent times. Several clinical studies conducted during the initial stages of the epidemic confirmed the presence of cutaneous infections without evidence for visceralization. Papules, nodules, ulcerating nodules, and ulcers were seen on exposed body areas in affected individuals. Majority of lesions were of developmental stages of classical cutaneous leishmaniasis and presented as single lesions. Both genders and people of wide age range were affected. Multiple studies carried out during the middle part of the epidemic have described the basic clinical profile of Leishmania donovani–induced CL in Sri Lanka.
