Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a chronic disease caused by species of the protozoan
Leishmania
and characterised
by the presence of ulcerated skin lesions. Both parasite and host factors affect the clinical presentation of the
disease. The development of skin ulcers in CL is associated with an inflammatory response mediated by cells that
control parasite growth but also contribute to pathogenesis. CD8+ T cells contribute to deleterious inflammatory
responses in patients with CL through cytotoxic mechanisms. In addition, natural killer cells also limit
Leishmania
infections by production of interferon-γ and cytotoxicity. In this review, we focus on studies of cytotoxicity in CL
and its contribution to the pathogenesis of this disease.
