Use of DNA-based diagnostic methods for human leishmaniasis in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
DNA hybridisation was used to type 26 samples from lesions of human patients from the Rio Doce Valley (Minas Gerais, Brazil) clinically diagnosed as having cutaneous leishmaniasis, using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) cloned mini-circle probes specific for the Leishmania mexicana and Leishmania braziliensis complexes. All samples were found to belong to the L. braziliensis complex. When biopsies were pressed directly onto touch blot membranes 38.5% of the samples were positive. The positivity and specificity obtained were both 100% when cultured blotted parasites were used. The results were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using primers specific for the L. mexicana and L. braziliensis complexes.
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Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear/Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, Cidade Universitária-Campus da UFMG, Rua Professor Mário Werneck, S/No, PO Box 941, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31120-970, Minas Gerais, Brazil. antero@urano.cdtn.br
Gomes
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Fernandes
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de Melo
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D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D001938:Brazil; D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast; D016054:DNA, Protozoan