Leishmaniasis, unspecified
ICD-10 B55.9 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of leishmaniasis, unspecified.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected sandflies. The disease manifests in various forms, including cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin lesions, and visceral leishmaniasis, which affects internal organs. The unspecified code B55.9 is used when the specific type of leishmaniasis is not documented. Symptoms may include fever, weight loss, anemia, and splenomegaly in visceral cases, while cutaneous forms present with ulcers and skin lesions. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through serological tests, PCR, or biopsy. Treatment varies based on the form of the disease and may include antimonial compounds, amphotericin B, or miltefosine. The disease is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, making it a significant public health concern in these areas.
Detailed patient history, travel history, lab results, and clinical findings.
Patients presenting with fever, weight loss, and skin lesions after travel to endemic regions.
Ensure specificity in documentation to avoid using the unspecified code when a specific type is known.
Photographic evidence of skin lesions, biopsy results, and treatment response.
Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis presenting with ulcerative lesions.
Document the location, size, and characteristics of lesions to support coding.
Used when a biopsy is performed to confirm leishmaniasis.
Pathology report and clinical notes indicating the need for biopsy.
Infectious disease specialists should ensure that the biopsy results are clearly linked to the diagnosis.
Use B55.9 when the specific type of leishmaniasis is not documented in the medical record. Ensure that all relevant clinical information is captured to support this code.
Common treatments include antimonial compounds, amphotericin B, and miltefosine, depending on the form of the disease.
