Prélèvements parasitologiques en dermatologie

Cutaneous manifestations of parasitosis are numerous and related to various mechanisms. When parasites are located at the inoculation site (Leishmania spp), in dermis (Onchocerca volvulus), live on skin or hair (ectoparasites) diagnosis is mainly made by direct examination. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a sensible diagnostic method for cutaneous leishmaniaisis and allows a rapid identification of causative species. Other cutaneous symptoms of parasitosis are general allergic manifestations. In this case, specific demands must be selected after clinical and epidemiological data. Allergic reactions are particularly intense during the invasive stage of some helminthiasis (trichinellosis, schistosomiasis, fasciolasis) or in visceral larva migrans (toxocariasis). In these cases, the parasitologic diagnosis relies on serologic assays.