Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction in the routine diagnosis for tegumentary leishmaniasis in a referral centre.
The present study investigated the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed in parallel to conventional methods at an American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) referral centre for diagnosis. Accuracy parameters for PCR were calculated using 130 patients with confirmed ATL (ATL group), 15 patients established with other diseases and 23 patients with a lesion suggestive of ATL, but without parasitological confirmation (NDEF group). PCR showed 92.3% sensitivity, 93.3% specificity, a 99.2% positive predictive value and a 13.84 positive likelihood ratio. In the NDEF group, PCR confirmed ATL in 13 of the 23 patients, seven of whom responded to leishmaniasis treatment and six who presented spontaneous healing of the lesion. PCR should be included in the routine diagnostic procedures for ATL, especially for cases found to be negative by conventional methods.
Fagundes
Aline
A
Laboratório de Vigilância em Leishmanioses, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. aline.fagundes@ipec.fiocruz.br
Schubach
Armando
A
Paula
Cíntia Cristiane de
CC
Bogio
Alessandra
A
Antonio
Liliane de Fátima
Lde F
Schiavoni
Patrícia Botelho
PB
Monteiro
Vivian de Souza
Vde S
Madeira
Maria de Fátima
Mde F
Quintella
Leonardo Pereira
LP
Valete-Rosalino
Claudia Maria
CM
Vasconcellos
Erica de Camargo Ferreira e
Ede C
Azeredo-Coutinho
Rilza Beatriz Gayoso de
RB
Pacheco
Rachel S
RS
Marzochi
Mauro C A
MC
Marzochi
Keyla B F
KB
D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000235:genetics*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D016054:DNA, Protozoan