[Rapid diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis and histoplasmosis by direct microscopic tests]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis and disseminated histoplasmosis can be diagnosed by direct examination of pathology specimens after Giemsa staining.An HIV-infected man developed cutaneous leishmaniasis and disseminated histoplasmosis with buccal lesions concomitantly. Smears stained with the RAL 555 kit provided the diagnosis of these two diseases.This case illustrates how direct microscopic examinations can provide inexpensive, rapid and safe diagnosis of infectious diseases. Direct microscopic examinations are routine practice in a tropical dermatology unit.