Asymptomatic Leishmania Infection in Human Population of Wenxian County,Gansu Province / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective To analyze the status of Leishmania infantum asymptomatic infection in human population of a Kala-azar endemic area in Wenxian County,Gansu Province,and to evaluate the tests used.Methods Blood samples were tested by PCR using two pairs of primers,RV1-RV2 and K13A-K13B,for detecting Leishmania-specific DNA.ELISA and rK39-dipstick were used to detect Leishmania-specific antibodies.Results The positive rate of PCR,ELISA and rK39-dipstick was 30.9%(83/269),24.2%(65/269) and 0(0/269) respectively.Conclusion The prevalence of asymptomatic infection of L.infantum in humans is high in the area.PCR test based on RV1-RV2 and K13A-K13B primer pairs is a sensitive and specific method for detecting the asymptomatic infection.