title: Use of kDNA-based polymerase chain reaction as a sensitive and differentially diagnostic method of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in disease-endemic areas of northern Argentina.
abstract: We evaluated the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of endemic American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Salta, Argentina. Diverse Leishmania species, coexistence of mycotic and varicose ulcers, and high endemicity T. cruzi, represent diagnostic challenges in the region. We performed a simplified PCR using sensitive, generic primers on samples obtained by a non-invasive method. We tested different culture types and clinical specimens with other microorganisms that induce leishmaniasis-like lesions. The PCR had a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Forty-five patients with presumptive leishmaniasis were compared to the PCR, smears, and the Montenegro skin test (MST). In the same population, the PCR had an increased sensitivity, detecting 25 of 45 cases compared with 16 of 45 for smears and had a higher sensitivity in detecting mucocutaneous lesions. Diagnosis by PCR was supported by clinical presentation, positive MST results, compatible epidemiology, and in some cases histopathologic results or isolation of parasites by culture. These findings indicate the convenience of incorporating this PCR into diagnostic strategies for detecting leishmaniasis in northern Argentina.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina. barrioa@unsa.edu.ar
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrio
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Basombrío
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast; C032127:leishmanin