A simple and sensitive test for field diagnosis of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis.
BACKGROUND
Current methods for diagnosis of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) do not offer adequate sensitivity and specificity.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a simple and sensitive test for field diagnosis of PKDL.


METHODS
Immunochromatographic nitrocellulose strips precoated with recombinant k39 antigen were evaluated for the detection of circulating antibodies to leishmanial k39 in PKDL sera. A drop of serum applied to the strip followed by buffer led to the development of two visible bands indicating the presence of anti-k39 IgG.


RESULTS
The strip test was able to detect cases of PKDL with 91% sensitivity. The specificity of the test was evaluated using controls with other skin diseases, other common infections and healthy persons from endemic and non-endemic regions. Of 125 controls examined, all were negative on the strip test, indicating 100% specificity of the test.


CONCLUSIONS
The immunochromatographic nitrocellulose strips provide a non-invasive, rapid and accurate method for diagnosing PKDL.
Salotra
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P
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Post Box 4909, New Delhi 110, 029, India. salotra@vsnl.com
Sreenivas
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G
Ramesh
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Sundar
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S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000276:immunology; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011934:Reagent Strips; C079253:K39 antigen, Leishmania