The accuracy of the Montenegro skin test for leishmaniasis in PCR-negative patients
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop
; 53: e20190433, 2020. tab
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1101442
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION:
As highly specific molecular biology-based techniques may not be sensitive enough for the diagnosis of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), clinicians frequently rely on immunological tests before treatment initiation. Hence, the correct combination of diagnostic tests is imperative for ATL diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Montenegro (Leishmanin) skin test (MST) in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-negative patients to accurately detect ATL.METHODS:
Patients with a clinical picture compatible with ATL were divided into ATL (confirmed by lesion smear, culture indirect immunofluorescence, and/or histopathology) and no-ATL (diseases that can mimic leishmaniasis) groups. Conventional PCR for the minicircle kDNA of Leishmania was performed, and the MST was carried out for PCR-negative patients.RESULTS:
Ninety-nine patients were included in this study, including 79 diagnosed with ATL (6 with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis) and 20 without ATL (no-ATL group). The MST showed a high sensitivity of 90.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 69.90-97.21) in PCR-negative patients that was 10% higher than the sensitivity reported in PCR-positive population (79.66%; 95% CI = 67.73-87.96).CONCLUSIONS:
One of the most important reasons for PCR negativity among patients with active ATL is the presence of a strong cellular immunological response, especially in chronic and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. This reinforces the considerable utility of the tests that detect cellular responses against Leishmania antigens such as the MST in PCR-negative patients when the performance in screening situations is questionable.Key words
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Dengue
/
Chikungunya Fever
/
Zika Virus Infection
Type of study:
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop
Journal subject:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
Year:
2020
Type:
Article