Comparative evaluation of PCR and imprint smear microscopy analyses of skin biopsy specimens in diagnosis of macular, Papular, and mixed Papulo-nodular lesions of post-Kala-Azar dermal Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Diagnosis of post-kala-Azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), particularly the macular form, is difficult when based on microscopy. This study compared the results of nested PCR (91.9% positive samples) with imprint smear microscopy (70.9% positive samples) for 62 PKDL samples. We found that nested PCR, which indicated 87.5% positivity for the macular lesions, compared to 41.6% positivity by imprint smear microscopy, is an efficient method for early diagnosis of PKDL.Copyright © 2013, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.