[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in the military hospital Moulay Ismaïl of Meknes (Morocco): about 49 cases diagnosed between 2005 and 2011].

An increase in the number of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis has been observed, in recent years, in Morocco. We tried, through a series of 49 cases collected from the dermatology department at the military hospital Moulay Ismail of Meknes, to clarify the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of the reported cases. We recorded for each patient: age, sex, geographic origin and the period before consultation. We have also noted the number of lesions, their location, and their clinical aspects. Finally, we recorded results of direct examination in search of the parasite, treatment and post treatment evolution. The sex ratio was 11. The average age was 35.6 years. The average period of consultation was 3.8 months. Eighty-six percent of cases (n=42) were from the region extending from south to south-east of the atlas. The average number of lesions per patient was 4.46 (from 1 to 40). Thirty-seven percent of cases (n=18) had single lesions and 63% (n=31) multiple lesions. There was a polymorphism of clinical aspects of lesions with predominant of ulcerative crusting aspects observed in 55.1% of cases (n=27). Face localization was observed in 20.4% of cases (n=10). Ninety-two percent of cases (n=45) had involvement of the upper limbs and/or lower. Direct examination was positive in 65% of cases (n=32). The treatment was based on meglumine antimoniate associated in three quarters of cases with cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen. The outcome was favorable for all patients. We observed an increase in the number of cases in 2011 and especially those with multiple lesions followed by a decline in 2011.