PCR Detection and Identification of Leishmania Parasites in Clinical Specimens in Ecuador: A Comparison with Classical Diagnostic Methods

A simplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was used for detection and typing of Leishmania parasites in clinical specimens from patients suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Using cultures as the reference standard, our PCR detection method was more sensitive (92%) than classical diag...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of parasitology 1999-04, Vol.85 (2), p.181-187
Main Authors: Aviles, Hernan, Belli, Alejandro, Armijos, Rodrigo, Monroy, Fernando P., Harris, Eva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsies
Brazilian culture
Child
Child, Preschool
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
Diagnostic methods
DNA, Kinetoplast - analysis
DNA, Kinetoplast - chemistry
Ecology-Epidemiology
Ecuador
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Human protozoal diseases
Humans
Infant
Infectious diseases
Leishmania
Leishmania - classification
Leishmania - genetics
Leishmania - isolation & purification
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - diagnosis
Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - parasitology
Leshmaniasis
Lesions
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Molecular Sequence Data
Parasites
Parasitic diseases
Parasitology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Protozoal diseases
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tropical medicine
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Summary:A simplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was used for detection and typing of Leishmania parasites in clinical specimens from patients suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Using cultures as the reference standard, our PCR detection method was more sensitive (92%) than classical diagnostic techniques, including microscopy (42% sensitivity), histologic staining (33%), and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent (20%). The PCR assay was also 100% specific. Parasites in both lesion biopsies and isolates cultured from lesion aspirates were identified as Leishmania braziliensis by PCR. In this study, we have demonstrated the suitability of simplified PCR assays for the simultaneous diagnosis and typing of parasites causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in a developing country where leishmaniasis is endemic.
ISSN:0022-3395
1937-2345
DOI:10.2307/3285616