Cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania major, Leishmania mexicana, and Leishmania braziliensis, is a relatively mild, localized disease consisting of a single ulcer on exposed skin.
The lesion (often called tropical sore) begins as an itching papule surrounded by induration, changes into a shallow and slowly expanding ulcer with irregular borders, and usually heals by involution within 6 months without treatment.
On microscopic examination, the lesion is granulomatous, usually with many giant cells and few parasites.