Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Traditional methods of detecting Leishmania from cutaneous lesions involve invasive diagnostic procedures, such as scrapings, which cause discomfort, require technical expertise, and carry risks of invasive procedures. We compared the performance of 2 novel, molecular-based non-invasive...

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Main Authors: Braulio Mark Valencia, Nicolas Veland, Milena Alba, Vanessa Adaui, Jorge Arevalo, Donald E Low, Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas, Andrea K Boggild
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3504088?pdf=render
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author Braulio Mark Valencia
Nicolas Veland
Milena Alba
Vanessa Adaui
Jorge Arevalo
Donald E Low
Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas
Andrea K Boggild
author_facet Braulio Mark Valencia
Nicolas Veland
Milena Alba
Vanessa Adaui
Jorge Arevalo
Donald E Low
Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas
Andrea K Boggild
author_sort Braulio Mark Valencia
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: Traditional methods of detecting Leishmania from cutaneous lesions involve invasive diagnostic procedures, such as scrapings, which cause discomfort, require technical expertise, and carry risks of invasive procedures. We compared the performance of 2 novel, molecular-based non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting to the Leishmania Clinic at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia were enrolled. PCR was performed on filter paper lesion impressions (FPLIs), cytology brushes, and lancets for detection of Leishmania DNA. Smears from lesion scrapings and leishmanin skin test were also performed. Outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity. Composite reference standard was any 2 of 5 tests positive. Species identification was performed by PCR assays of positive specimens. RESULTS: Ninety patients with 129 lesions were enrolled, 117 of which fulfilled reference criteria for a diagnosis of CL. Of these 117 lesions, 113 were positive by PCR of lancets used for lesion scrapings versus 116 by PCR of FPLIs (p=0.930) or 116 by PCR of cytology brushes (p=0.930). Sensitivity and specificity of PCR on lancets were 96.6% [95% CI 93.3-99.9%] and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FPLI PCR were 99.1% [95% CI 97.4-100%] and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of cytology brush PCR were 99.1% [95% CI 97.4-100%] and 100%, respectively. Giemsa-stained lesion smear and leishmanin skin test had inferior sensitivities at 47.9% [95% CI 38.9-57.0%] and 82.3% [95% CI 73.9-90.7%], respectively, compared to PCR of invasive or non-invasive specimens (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cytology brush PCR constitutes a sensitive and specific alternative to traditional diagnostic assays performed on invasive specimens such as lesion scrapings. It performs comparatively to non-invasive FPLI PCR. This novel, rapid, and well-tolerated method has the potential for widespread use in the field and in pediatric populations where traditional specimen collection is difficult.
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spelling doaj.art-df68c0d895764c2b9fe6fe3f4f11b1c92022-12-22T02:28:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032012-01-01711e4973810.1371/journal.pone.0049738Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.Braulio Mark ValenciaNicolas VelandMilena AlbaVanessa AdauiJorge ArevaloDonald E LowAlejandro Llanos-CuentasAndrea K BoggildBACKGROUND: Traditional methods of detecting Leishmania from cutaneous lesions involve invasive diagnostic procedures, such as scrapings, which cause discomfort, require technical expertise, and carry risks of invasive procedures. We compared the performance of 2 novel, molecular-based non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting to the Leishmania Clinic at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia were enrolled. PCR was performed on filter paper lesion impressions (FPLIs), cytology brushes, and lancets for detection of Leishmania DNA. Smears from lesion scrapings and leishmanin skin test were also performed. Outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity. Composite reference standard was any 2 of 5 tests positive. Species identification was performed by PCR assays of positive specimens. RESULTS: Ninety patients with 129 lesions were enrolled, 117 of which fulfilled reference criteria for a diagnosis of CL. Of these 117 lesions, 113 were positive by PCR of lancets used for lesion scrapings versus 116 by PCR of FPLIs (p=0.930) or 116 by PCR of cytology brushes (p=0.930). Sensitivity and specificity of PCR on lancets were 96.6% [95% CI 93.3-99.9%] and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FPLI PCR were 99.1% [95% CI 97.4-100%] and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of cytology brush PCR were 99.1% [95% CI 97.4-100%] and 100%, respectively. Giemsa-stained lesion smear and leishmanin skin test had inferior sensitivities at 47.9% [95% CI 38.9-57.0%] and 82.3% [95% CI 73.9-90.7%], respectively, compared to PCR of invasive or non-invasive specimens (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cytology brush PCR constitutes a sensitive and specific alternative to traditional diagnostic assays performed on invasive specimens such as lesion scrapings. It performs comparatively to non-invasive FPLI PCR. This novel, rapid, and well-tolerated method has the potential for widespread use in the field and in pediatric populations where traditional specimen collection is difficult.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3504088?pdf=render
spellingShingle Braulio Mark Valencia
Nicolas Veland
Milena Alba
Vanessa Adaui
Jorge Arevalo
Donald E Low
Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas
Andrea K Boggild
Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.
PLoS ONE
title Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.
title_full Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.
title_fullStr Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.
title_full_unstemmed Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.
title_short Non-invasive cytology brush PCR for the diagnosis and causative species identification of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.
title_sort non invasive cytology brush pcr for the diagnosis and causative species identification of american cutaneous leishmaniasis in peru
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3504088?pdf=render
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