Life cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis (IMAGE) American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Caption Drawing of the life cycle of Cutaneous leishmaniasis. Initials F.R. in lower right corner. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a skin infection caused by a single-celled parasite that is transmitted by the bite of a sandfly. It is the most common form of leishmaniasis affecting humans.There are about twenty species of Leishmania parasites that can cause cutaneous leishmaniasis. Credit National Museum of Health and Medicine Usage Restrictions Credit must be given to the creator. License CC BY Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.