A simple and sensitive test for field diagnosis of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis |
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Authors: | P Salotra G Sreenivas V Ramesh S Sundar† |
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Institution: | Molecular Biology Laboratory, Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Post Box 4909, New Delhi 110, 029, India. salotra@vsnl.com |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Current methods for diagnosis of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) do not offer adequate sensitivity and specificity. OBJECTIVES: To develop a simple and sensitive test for field diagnosis of PKDL. METHODS: Immunochromatographic nitrocellulose strips precoated with recombinant k39 antigen were evaluated for the detection of circulating antibodies to leishmanial k39 in PKDL sera. A drop of serum applied to the strip followed by buffer led to the development of two visible bands indicating the presence of anti-k39 IgG. RESULTS: The strip test was able to detect cases of PKDL with 91% sensitivity. The specificity of the test was evaluated using controls with other skin diseases, other common infections and healthy persons from endemic and non-endemic regions. Of 125 controls examined, all were negative on the strip test, indicating 100% specificity of the test. CONCLUSIONS: The immunochromatographic nitrocellulose strips provide a non-invasive, rapid and accurate method for diagnosing PKDL. |
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Keywords: | k39 antigen postkala-azar dermal leishmaniasis serodiagnosis |
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