Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major: a comparison with direct microscopy of smears and sections from lesions.
We have compared the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a diagnostic tool against conventional microscopical diagnostic techniques in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from the Sudan. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed according to clinical criteria followed by microscopical examination of histological sections and slit or impression smears. The PCR had a sensitivity of 86% when used alone, and 93% when combined with Southern blotting. In contrast, microscopy of histological sections had a sensitivity of 76% and slit and impression smears of only 55% and 48%, respectively. The PCR should be considered as a valuable and sensitive diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis; it has the added advantage of identification of the species of Leishmania causing the lesion.
Andresen
K
K
Department of Clinical Microbiology, National University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gaafar
A
A
El-Hassan
A M
AM
Ismail
A
A
Dafalla
M
M
Theander
T G
TG
Kharazmi
A
A
D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D006801:Humans; D018320:Leishmania major; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology