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Comparison of microscopic examination, rK39, and PCR for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis in Turkey

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Abstract

The laboratory diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis is based on microscopic examination, culture, serological tests, and molecular methods. In this study, we examined 50 blood specimens from suspected visceral leishmaniasis patients by microscopic examination, recombinant antigen dipstick test (rK39), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the University of Cukurova, Faculty of Medicine, Parasitology Department in Turkey. We calculated the sensitivity–specificity and positive–negative predictive values for these diagnostic tests. We found that positive predictive value of microscopy examination, rK39 dipstick test, and PCR were 20%, 24%, and 58% for visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. When we compared polymerase chain reaction, recombinant antigen dipstick test, and microscopic examination for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis, the polymerase chain reaction is more sensitive (100%) than recombinant antigen dipstick test and microscopy examination.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Cukurova University Research Grant TF.2005.D4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Cukurova University, Balcali, Adana, Turkey

    Dilek Ozerdem, Fadime Eroglu, Mehtap Demirkazik & Ismail Soner Koltas

  2. Vocational School of Health Services, Adiyaman University, Altinsehir, Adiyaman, Turkey

    Ahmet Genc

Authors
  1. Dilek Ozerdem
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  2. Fadime Eroglu
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  3. Ahmet Genc
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  4. Mehtap Demirkazik
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  5. Ismail Soner Koltas
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Correspondence to Fadime Eroglu.

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Ozerdem, D., Eroglu, F., Genc, A. et al. Comparison of microscopic examination, rK39, and PCR for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis in Turkey. Parasitol Res 106, 197–200 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1650-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1650-3

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