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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardCutaneous InfectionCutaneous LeishmaniasisSCE Dermatology

A traveller returning from a tropical beach develops an intensely itchy serpiginous track on the sole that advances 1–2 cm each day. Which diagnosis best accounts for both morphology and rate of movement?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Cutaneous larva migrans caused by animal hookworm larvae migrating slowly within the epidermis

Explanation lettering: E = shown as D · D = shown as E

B is correct. Cutaneous larva migrans follows skin contact with dog- or cat-hookworm-contaminated sand and produces a severely pruritic serpiginous track advancing millimetres to centimetres daily. Larva currens usually moves much faster, often centimetres per hour. Granuloma annulare, erythema migrans and tinea form plaques or rings rather than a migrating epidermal track.

Reference: DermNet: cutaneous larva migrans: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/cutaneous-larva-migrans