title: Sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction in Giemsa-stained slides for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in children.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of Leishmania DNA in archived Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and to compare PCR with conventional diagnostic techniques, like direct microscopy and parasite culture. Specimens of archived Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides from 91 patients with VL and from 79 controls with other diseases or conditions were studied. PCR showed the highest sensitivity (92.3%) and had good specificity (97.5%). Direct examination detected 79.1% and culture 59% of positive samples. In addition, PCR was able to detect VL in 16 of 19 patients (84.2%) with negative microscopy. PCR in Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides is a suitable tool for confirming diagnosis in patients with VL and may be useful in the diagnosis of difficult cases. Slide smears are easily stored, do not require special storage conditions such as low temperatures, and can be easily mailed to centers where PCR is available, making it an excellent option for diagnosis in the field.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatria, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil. brustoloni@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Yvone Maia
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Brustoloni
authors.forename: Rosimar Batista
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Rivaldo Venâncio
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.forename: Maria Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dorval
authors.forename: Elisa Teruya
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Oshiro
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia Lyrio
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pirmez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001399:Azure Stains; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000382:microbiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004396:Coloring Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001399:Azure Stains; D004396:Coloring Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan