Background: This study aimed to describe the kinetics of Leishmania parasite load determined using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. Methods: Parasite load in blood was assessed by qPCR at five time points, up to 12 months post-diagnosis. Sixteen patients were followed up. Results: A significant reduction in the parasite load was observed after treatment (P < 0.0001). One patient had an increased parasite load 3 months post-treatment and relapsed clinically at month six. Conclusions: We have described the use of kDNA-based qPCR in the post-treatment follow-up of VL cases.
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de Aquino, S. R., Diniz, L. F. B., Nunes, S. L. P., de Oliveira Silva, R. L., Gouveia, G. V., Gouveia, J. J. S., … Do Carmo, R. F. (2023). Blood parasite load by qPCR as therapeutic monitoring in visceral leishmaniasis patients in Brazil: a case series study. Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 56. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0456-2022
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