title: Molecular epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Venezuela.
abstract: This paper discusses the utility of a set of primers (3J1, 3J2) designed from a repetitive nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid sequence for the diagnosis of Leishmania braziliensis infection in samples obtained from humans, insect vectors and mammalian reservoir hosts from different endemic areas in Venezuela. A high incidence of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection was found in the endemic areas studied. The sensitivity and specificity of the primers used were adequate for the identification of the natural vectors and reservoir hosts of L. (V.) braziliensis. The polymerase chain reaction was more sensitive than culture and stained smear examination in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, detecting 80% of cases compared to 42% and 72%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. nrodri@telcel.net.ve
authors.forename: Noris
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Hector
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Lima
authors.forename: Cruz M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Douglas C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Jacinto
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Convit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D008322:Mammals / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan