Post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis in Sudan.

Post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a condition that develops after treatment of kala azar. We report on 42 patients with suspected PKDL, 40% of whom were children. Diagnosis was made though investigation of family history of kala azar, clinical examination and the use of laboratory investigations, such as skin smear, skin biopsy, bone marrow aspiration and the leishmanin skin test. Regarding the lesions, 24 patients (57%) had papular lesions, 10 (24%) had hypopigmented maculopapular lesions and 8 (19%) had nodular lesions. The lesions of PKDL may be confused with other dermatological diseases and therefore it is important that clinicians and pathologists collaborate in diagnosing such cases.