Competitive polymerase chain reaction used to diagnose cutaneous leishmaniasis in German soldiers infected during military exercises in French Guiana.

Abstract

A competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by enzyme-linked-immunoassay-based verification of PCR products has been developed, which facilitated the diagnosis of leishmaniasis in two German soldiers who underwent survival training in the jungle of French Guiana and returned with therapy-resistant pyoderma-like lesions. After treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, the skin manifestations disappeared, and leishmania DNA could no longer be detected by PCR. In the context of growing military involvement in areas where leishmaniasis is prevalent, this assay may help detect or, due to its internal controls, exclude cases of infection with this parasite.

• Authors: G Bezold, M Lange, K Gethöffer, H Pillekamp, H Reindl, C Richter, G Schönian, L Weber, R U Peter
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 421-4 (Jun 2001) ISSN: 0934-9723 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 11476445 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiprotozoal Agents
• DNA, Protozoan
• Amphotericin B

Topics

• Adult
• Amphotericin B (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antiprotozoal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Base Sequence
• DNA, Protozoan (analysis)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• French Guiana
• Germany
• Humans
• Leishmania (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Male
• Military Personnel
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Skin (parasitology)