Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1994-1-13
pubmed:abstractText
The results of a preliminary trial are reported in which the diagnostic value of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) specific for Leishmania of the subgenus Viannia was compared with that of currently recommended methods. These methods were microscopic examination of dermal scrapings, in vitro culture of both patient biopsies and aspirates, an in vitro culture of hamster aspirates following inoculation with patient biopsies. The tests were performed on biopsies of Colombian patients with leishmaniasis or with nonleishmanial ethiologies. The outcome of this trial was that PCR was consistently more sensitive than any of the four currently recommended methods of diagnosis, an gave results much faster than the three culture-based methods. Clinical specificity did not match the absolute specificity obtained in the laboratory when tested against purified kDNAs from various Leishmania species. This is thought to be due to the small sample size and to possible subclinical presence of the parasite in the population. The results nevertheless show that, given a more extensive trial directed at clinical validation, PCR can provide the means for early and rapid diagnosis of leishmaniasis. This should reduce morbidity and treatment costs. Further improvements to the method, its introduction in endemic settings and its possible further clinical uses are also discussed.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
0177-2392
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
44
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
201-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Adolescent, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Base Sequence, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Biological Assay, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Biopsy, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Biopsy, Needle, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Child, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Child, Preschool, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Colombia, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Cricetinae, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-DNA, Protozoan, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-DNA Primers, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Electrophoresis, Agar Gel, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Female, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Infant, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Leishmania, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Leishmaniasis, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Male, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Middle Aged, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Molecular Sequence Data, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Polymerase Chain Reaction, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Sensitivity and Specificity, pubmed-meshheading:8256098-Skin
pubmed:year
1993
pubmed:articleTitle
A comparative study of diagnosis by the polymerase chain reaction and by current clinical methods using biopsies from Colombian patients with suspected leishmaniasis.
pubmed:affiliation
MRC Outstation of N.I.M.R., Molteno Laboratories, Cambridge, U.K.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't