Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive for diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis.
We evaluated the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) in an endemic area in Acre, Brazil, where Leishmania braziliensis is present. Leishmania DNA was detected 34 of 35 cases, yielding a positivity rate of 97.1%, which was higher than the positivity rates for all of the other diagnostic methods studied, namely Montenegro skin test (MST), anti-Leishmania serological testing and microscopic examination of lesion biopsy specimens. These findings have led us to propose guidelines for the diagnosis of ML that use PCR as the principal method of parasitological confirmation of cases.
Oliveira
Jene Greyce S
JG
Fundação Hospital do Acre, Distrito Industrial, Rio Branco, Brazil.
Novais
Fernanda O
FO
de Oliveira
Camila I
CI
da Cruz Junior
Antonio C
AC
Campos
Léon Fábio
LF
da Rocha
Any V
AV
Boaventura
Viviane
V
Noronha
Almério
A
Costa
Jackson M L
JM
Barral
Aldina
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000235:genetics*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate