leishmaniasis caused by several New and Old World species and strains of Leishmania (L. mexicana amazonensis, L. m. pifanoi, possibly L. m. garnhami and L. m. venezuelensis; in Ethiopia, L. aethiopica, and unidentified leishmanial agents in Namibia and Tanzania). The condition is associated with a suppressed cell-mediated immune response, so that the nonulcerating, nonnecrotizing cutaneous lesions can spread widely over the body; great numbers of parasite-filled macrophages are found in the dermal lesions. Healing does not seem to occur unless an acquired cellular hypersensitivity can develop.cutaneous leishmaniasis. SYN: anergic leishmaniasis, diffuse leishmaniasis, disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis, leishmaniasis tegumentaria diffusa, pseudolepromatous leishmaniasis.