ABSTRACT
In spite of the growing number of cases of cutaneous infections, the genetically distinct nature and the original visceralizing nature of the causative species provided sufficient justification for consideration of the presence or subsequent emergence of mucosal and visceral clinical forms of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. In order to detect such occurrences, active case surveillance was initiated by the author’s team in year 2005. Few cases of visceral and mucosal leishmaniasis have been detected through such networks during the past two decades and a case series was published. However, classical clinical pentad of visceral leishmaniasis was not frequent among these patients. rK 39 responsiveness was also very poor. One out of seven reported patients had a skin rash, indicating the possibility of concurrent PKDL, though there was no confirmatory evidence. Occurrence of asymptomatic visceral infection in the community was first suggested in this case series. Mucosal leishmaniasis is extremely rare, except for the two reported cases so far.
