title: Predictive value of clinical assessment of patients with podoconiosis in an endemic community setting.
abstract: Podoconiosis is a geochemical condition resulting in lower limb elephantiasis similar to that seen in chronic filarial disease. In podoconiosis-endemic areas, diagnosis of the condition must often take place in the community setting, where laboratory facilities are unavailable. In this study, 205 patients in Wolaitta zone, southern Ethiopia, were examined according to standard clinical practice. A capillary blood sample was taken at midnight for thick film examination. In a subsample of 117 patients, rapid antigen testing using Binax antigen cards was also performed. Both tests were negative in all patients. In podoconiosis-endemic areas, clinical examination is a valid means of diagnosing podoconiosis.
authors.affiliation: Mossy Foot Prevention and Treatment Association, PO Box 311, Sodo, Wolaitta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Kelemu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Desta
authors.forename: Meskele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashine
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D004604:Elephantiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005002:Ethiopia; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012423:Rural Health