Related Experiment Videos
Chronic lupoid leishmaniasis. Evaluation by polymerase chain reaction
A Z Momeni1, S Yotsumoto, D R Mehregan
1Department of Dermatology, University of Isfahan, Iran.
Archives of Dermatology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Diagnosing chronic lupoid leishmaniasis is challenging due to its similarity to lupus vulgaris. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) effectively detected Leishmania DNA in tissue samples, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chronic lupoid leishmaniasis presents cutaneous lesions clinically and histologically similar to lupus vulgaris.
- Distinguishing between these conditions can be difficult, often relying on detecting Leishmania amastigotes.
- Advanced molecular techniques offer improved diagnostic capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in detecting Leishmania amastigote DNA in tissue samples from patients with chronic lupoid leishmaniasis.
- To compare PCR results with traditional diagnostic methods like histology and culture.
- To confirm the presence of Leishmania DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.
Main Methods:
- Tissue samples from 65 patients with chronic lupoid leishmaniasis were analyzed.
- Histological examination was performed to identify characteristic granulomas and amastigotes.
- Leishmania-specific PCR and Southern blot analysis were employed to detect Leishmania DNA.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific PCR was used to rule out tuberculosis co-infection.
Main Results:
- Histology revealed epithelioid cell granulomas with lymphocytic infiltrate, similar to lupus vulgaris.
- Leishmania amastigotes were found in only 12 cases upon extensive histological examination.
- Leishmania promastigotes were cultured in 20 cases.
- Leishmania DNA was identified by PCR in 30 out of 63 (47.6%) tested cases.
- PCR tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were negative in 47 cases, including those with positive tuberculin skin reactions.
Conclusions:
- The histological features of chronic lupoid leishmaniasis closely mimic those of lupus vulgaris.
- Polymerase chain reaction proved to be a valuable tool, successfully identifying Leishmania amastigotes in 47.6% of cases.
- This study confirms the presence of Leishmania amastigote DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded granulomatous tissue, supporting PCR's role in diagnosing challenging cases.