Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive for diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis

Acta Trop. 2005 Apr;94(1):55-9. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2004.12.003.

Abstract

We evaluated the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) in an endemic area in Acre, Brazil, where Leishmania braziliensis is present. Leishmania DNA was detected 34 of 35 cases, yielding a positivity rate of 97.1%, which was higher than the positivity rates for all of the other diagnostic methods studied, namely Montenegro skin test (MST), anti-Leishmania serological testing and microscopic examination of lesion biopsy specimens. These findings have led us to propose guidelines for the diagnosis of ML that use PCR as the principal method of parasitological confirmation of cases.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Brazil
  • Child
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Humans
  • Leishmania braziliensis / genetics*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / diagnosis*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / parasitology
  • Male
  • Meglumine / therapeutic use
  • Meglumine Antimoniate
  • Middle Aged
  • Organometallic Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Meglumine
  • Meglumine Antimoniate