title: Association of the ML Flow serologic test to slit skin smear.
abstract: A descriptive, exploratory study was conducted analyzing the association of covariables in the results of the ML Flow serological test and slit skin smear. A total of 60 leprosy cases diagnosed at the state Sanitary Dermatology Referral Center were investigated. Slit skin smear samples were collected from four sites and the results were expressed by the bacillary index. ML Flow was registered in both qualitative and semi-quantitative terms. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to study the agreement with Landis and Koch's observer criteria for interpretation. For statistical analysis, the logistic regression model and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. ML Flow showed a strong association with slit skin smear results, since a gradual increase in BI was accompanied by a semi-quantitative rise in antibody levels measured by ML Flow, with 100% positivity in cases presenting a positive slit skin smear. Given its strong correlation to slit skin smear, the results of this study provide evidence that the ML Flow test could be a valuable auxiliary tool in the classification and treatment of leprosy patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sanitary Dermatology, Eduardo de Menezes Hospital, Hospital Foundation of Minas Gerais State, MG, Brazil. sandralyon@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.forename: Rozana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castorina da Silva
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida de Faria
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: Sílvia Helena
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.forename: Maria de Lourdes
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bührer-Sékula
authors.forename: Manoel Otávio da Costa
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Rocha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae