title: Visceral leishmaniasis in Bangladesh: the value of DAT as a diagnostic tool.
abstract: The direct agglutination test (DAT) was performed on 480 serum samples from suspected cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in different parts of Bangladesh. Significant titres (> or = 1:3200) were found in 257 sera (53.5%). All patients with positive bone-marrow aspirates also had significant DAT titres. The male:female seroprevalence ratio was 2:1 and the age-group 0-20 years was the most affected. The DAT proved a simple, economical and reliable diagnostic test for VL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: el-Masum
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Minter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: el Harith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan