DIAGNOSIS
Whether the infected person manifests in the systemic or cutaneous phase will alter how the condition is diagnosed.
The Systemic Phase
Due to the non-specific symptoms of the systemic phase, a diagnosis cannot be made solely based on clinical features. If there are risk factors for Carrion’s illness, a septic screen should be done, and more research should be taken into account.
A peripheral blood smear stained with Giemsa is frequently used to make the diagnosis. Polymerase chain reaction, immunoglobulin (Ig)M, immunoblot, and indirect haemagglutination are further possible tests.
The Cutaneous Phase
Skin lesions that are typical of the Carrion disease’s cutaneous phase can be seen. Bacteria may be found during the histopathological analysis of a skin biopsy using the Warthin-Starry silver or Giemsa stains. B. bacilliformis tissue culture from cutaneous lesions is frequently unreliable because of laboratory contamination and poor development.
TREATMENT
Patients with Carrion disease may require various therapies due to the high prevalence of concomitant infections and illnesses.
The following antibiotics are frequently used to treat Carrion illness during the systemic phase:
- Children. 14 days of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin.
- Adults. 14 days of chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin.
In the cutaneous phase of the disease, the following therapies are preferred:
- Azithromycin
- Ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampicin
