title: Is real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) more useful than a conventional PCR for the clinical management of leishmaniasis?
abstract: It is currently unknown if the use of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) adds value to the diagnosis and follow-up prognosis of patients affected by leishmaniasis. We performed a study using a real-time PCR directed against the alpha-polymerase gene and a semiquantitative PCR that target the SSU ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene as control for the diagnosis and quantification of parasites in patients with visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis. Our single copy real-time PCR missed one diagnosis of VL compared with the conventional PCR, whereas both PCR methods were able to detect Leishmania parasites in CL. Under anti-leishmania treatment the kinetics of parasitemia were comparable with the two methods. The real-time PCR directed against alpha-polymerase of Leishmania despite being able to make a more accurate quantification of parasites does not add to the decision-making management compared with a semiquantitative PCR, and it is comparatively expensive.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences L Sacco, section of Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, University of Milan, Via GB Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy. spinello.antinori@unimi.it
authors: Spinello
authors: S
authors: Antinori
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Calattini
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Piolini
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Longhi
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Bestetti
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Cascio
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Parravicini
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Corbellino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*