Culture-independent species typing of neotropical Leishmania for clinical validation of a PCR-based assay targeting heat shock protein 70 genes

PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of heat shock protein 70 genes discriminates most neotropical Leishmania species, as well as Trypanosoma cruzi. The assay, combined with capillary electrophoresis in a microchip device, may be applied directly on clinical samples with a high sensitivity, hence supporting clinical and epidemiological monitoring of leishmaniasis.     

Itraconazole Pulse Therapy for Tinea Capitis: A Novel Treatment Schedule

Abstract: Itraconazole 5 mg/kg/day given as pulse therapy, each of 1 week duration, for 1 to 3 pulses appears to be an effective and safe method of treating tinea capitis. The number of pulses of therapy may depend upon several factors, including the severity of disease and area of involvement. Controlled studies are needed to determine the number of pulses of itraconazole required to treat tinea capitis.     

A new PCR-ELISA for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in blood of HIV-negative subjects

The PCR-ELISA represents a promising advance for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in blood samples. However, the method has been validated mostly with HIV-positive patients who are known to have high levels of parasitaemia. We developed a new PCR-ELISA assay for specific detection of Leishmania in patients' blood and validated it in Nepalese subjects with clinically suspected VL, almost all of whom were HIV-negative. For blood samples, PCR-ELISA was more sensitive (83.9%) than conventional PCR (73.2%), and demonstrated 100% and 87.2% specificity when using healthy controls who had never travelled to a VL-endemic area and controls from a VL-endemic area as references, respectively. We have demonstrated the ability of PCR-ELISA to detect parasites in blood of HIV-negative patients. The method could be used for epidemiological as well as clinical purposes, as it reduces the need for traumatic bone marrow sampling and risky spleen aspiration.     

Continuous itraconazole treatment for onychomycosis and dermatomycosis: an overview of safety.

Over the past 10 years, itraconazole has been used to treat more than 34 million patients worldwide. We present a review of the safety of various continuous itraconazole schedules used in the treatment of dermatomycosis and onychomycosis. Data from controlled clinical trials and extensive post-marketing surveillance show that itraconazole has an impressive safety profile at a dose of 50-200 mg/day for 1-4 weeks for dermatomycosis and 200 mg/day for 3 months for onychomycosis. In addition, itraconazole is safe to use in diabetic patients with dermatomycosis or onychomycosis. Short-term, intermittent itraconazole regimens, which may offer additional benefits in terms of safety and cost, have now been introduced.     

Accordance and concordance of PCR and NASBA followed by oligochromatography for the molecular diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania

Objective To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of four simplified molecular assays for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei spp. or Leishmania ssp. in a multicentre ring trial with seven participating laboratories. Methods The tests are based on PCR or NASBA amplification of the parasites nucleic acids followed by rapid read‐out by oligochromatographic dipstick (PCR‐OC and NASBA‐OC). Results On purified nucleic acid specimens, the repeatability and reproducibility of the tests were Tryp‐PRC‐OC, 91.7% and 95.5%; Tryp‐NASBA‐OC, 95.8% and 100%; Leish‐PCR‐OC, 95.9% and 98.1%; Leish‐NASBA‐OC, 92.3% and 98.2%. On blood specimens spiked with parasites, the repeatability and reproducibility of the tests were Tryp‐PRC‐OC, 78.4% and 86.6%; Tryp‐NASBA‐OC, 81.5% and 89.0%; Leish‐PCR‐OC, 87.1% and 91.7%; Leish‐NASBA‐OC, 74.8% and 86.2%. Conclusion As repeatability and reproducibility of the tests were satisfactory, further phase II and III evaluations in clinical and population specimens from disease endemic countries are justified.