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.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Fagundes,Aline, Schubach,Armando, Paula,Cíntia Cristiane de, Bogio,Alessandra, Antonio,Liliane de Fátima, Schiavoni,Patrícia Botelho, Monteiro,Vivian de Souza, Madeira,Maria de Fátima, Quintella,Leonardo Pereira, Valete-Rosalino,Claudia Maria, Vasconcellos,Erica de Camargo Ferreira e, Azeredo-Coutinho,Rilza Beatriz Gayoso de, Pacheco,Rachel S, Marzochi,Mauro CA, Marzochi,Keyla BF
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 2010
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762010000100018
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