title: Performance of recombinant K39 antigen in the diagnosis of Brazilian visceral leishmaniasis.
abstract: This study evaluated the performance of recombinant K39 (rK39) antigen in a immunochromatographic format (strip test) and a crude antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the diagnosis of Brazilian visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in 128 consecutive patients with parasitologically proven infections (by microscopy and/or culture). For each patient, a medical history was obtained and a complete physical examination was performed. Controls included 10 healthy volunteers and 50 patients with other diseases: malaria (10), leprosy (9), Chagas' disease (10), tuberculosis (10), and cutaneous leishmaniasis (11). The sensitivities of the rK39 antigen strip test and the ELISA were 90% and 89%, respectively, while the specificities were 100% and 98%, respectively. Our study confirms the accuracy of the rK39 antigen strip test in the diagnosis of VL in a high prevalence population.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvio F Guimarães
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Elenice Moreira
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corey
authors.forename: Reynaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dietze
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C079253:K39 antigen, Leishmania