title: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive for diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Hospital do Acre, Distrito Industrial, Rio Branco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jene Greyce S
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Fernanda O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Novais
authors.forename: Camila I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Antonio C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: da Cruz Junior
authors.forename: Léon Fábio
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Any V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: da Rocha
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boaventura
authors.forename: Almério
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noronha
authors.forename: Jackson M L
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Aldina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barral
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate