Evaluation of the Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major: A comparison with direct Microscopy of Smears and Sections from Lesions
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Date
2015-11-29
Authors
Elhassan, Ahmed M.
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Publisher
Oxford Journals
Abstract
We have compared the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a diagnostic tool against conventional microscopical diagnostic techniques in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from the Sudan. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed according to clinical criteria followed by microscopical examination of histological sections and slit or impression smears. The PCR had a sensitivity of 86% when used alone, and 93% when combined with Southern blotting. In contrast, microscopy of histological sections had a sensitivity of 76% and slit and impression smears of only 55% and 48%, respectively. The PCR should be considered as a valuable and sensitive diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis; it has the added advantage of identification of the species of Leishmania causing the lesion.
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Keywords
polymerase chain reaction, diagnosis, Leishmania major, cutaneous leishmaniasis, leishmaniasis