Application of ddPCR for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis patients: addition of an ultrasensitive tool to the diagnostic arsenal

Abstract

This is the very first study to report the use of digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis patients. By leveraging this ultrasensitive tool, absolute quantification of the parasite in the clinical samples is possible without requiring standard DNA materials. Eventually, this method will be useful for monitoring the relapse of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients and the post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis patients as well, who have been playing a critical role in transmitting the disease at the post-elimination period of VL. Moreover, the successful establishment of this method will pave the way for the detection and quantification of the parasite in asymptomatic carriers and sand fly vectors, which will strengthen the post-elimination surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis in the endemic settings.