Isolation and identification of the parasite causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in man

The serological and biochemical identity of four Greek leishmanial strains isolated from cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis was determined. All four strains were identical and shown to be Leishmania tropica (formerly L. t. minor). The cases are described; two came from the Greek mainland and two from Greek islands, one of the latter being a case of leishmaniasis recidivans. The significance of the results is discussed, in particular the co-existence in Greece of strains of L. tropica and L. donovani infantum.