Visceral leishmaniasis in the Syrian Arab Republic: early detection using rK39

ABSTRACT

Leishmaniasis causes significant morbidity and mortality in areas where it is endemic. A seroprevalence survey was conducted in 2 endemic villages in Daraa, Syrian Arab Republic, where 80 out of 345 children [23.2%] tested positive for visceral leishmaniasis [VL] using rK39 dipstick test. Only 10 cases were symptomatic [12.5%], and 27.5% were positive by ELISA test. All the sera [N = 138] obtained from the control village were negative. Of the rK39 initially positive cases, 52 had seroconverted to negative 9 months later, 55 remained ELISA negative, and none developed the full-blown disease. Being faster and less expensive than other diagnostic tests, rK39 is a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for symptomatic cases of VL in remote areas with poor accessibility to health services