Stigmata in cutaneous leishmaniasis

What is it about?

ABSTRACT This report is a part of many articles and studies published by the Regional Leishmaniasis Control Center (RLCC). Willing that this review might enrich understanding of the global epidemiological profile of CL, the author relied on research evidence, his experience and a social survey to highlight historical and current concepts of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) as a globally most prevalent and highly stigmatizing form of leishmaniasis disease, introduce new ideologies upon CL-related stigmata, review the most common determinants and implications of CL stigmata; and report a short survey illustrating stigmata experience among some affected patients from Yemen. He also reviewed a successful community-led action to reduce the burden of CL and its related stigmata in Yemen.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

HIGHLIGHTS • CL is a spectral and extremely stigmatizing disease that is often compared with leprosy. • Stigmatization is the hidden and often neglected manifestations of the visible features of CL. • CL-rlated stigmata has been classified into three main types, social (CLSS), aesthetic (CLAS); and psychological (CLPS). • CLSS is ‘the negative and often unfair beliefs that a society have about patient bearing CL’. • CLAS is ‘a sense of a bodily image dissatisfaction’. • CLPS is ‘the deep pain or the psychological stress the infected patient feels as a result of CL-related fears, social stigma and aesthetic stigma’. • CLPS is the most destructive power in the lives of the affected individuals, particularly women. • Patients with diffuse or disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) usually suffer stigmata similar to those associated with leprosy. • The social implication of CLS is much more distressing to patients than the disease individual effects. • The majority of Yemeni patients with active CL lesions or those carrying CL-related scars and deformities experience at least one type of CLrelated stigmata. • Yemeni patients with CL often consider CLS worse than the disease itself. • Stigmata may kill the stigmatized individuals, both socially and literally.