[Leish-l] Status of PCR for CL diagnosis

[Isra Cruz]

Dear Hugo,
I do think there is consensus with regard to the advantages of molecular tests in CL diagnosis, especially in cases were parasites are scarce, like in long duration lesions. 
Molecular diagnosis is much more sensitive than microscopy, and specificity will depend on the performance of each laboratory and the target selected. However, it is true that there are many different protocols for molecular diagnosis, using different targets and platforms, and most of them are in house protocols that present variability when transferred from one lab to another. And here there is a lack of consensus.
With regard to experiences with molecular diagnostics for CL in Peru, I think both Alejando Llanos Cuentas and Jorge Arevalo can provide you with good information.
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Isra
 

Isra Cruz, PhD
Senior Scientific Officer, Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme
FIND
Isra.Cruz at finddx.org
T +41 (0) 22 710 09 54, M +41 (0) 79 419 98 77
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: leish-l-bounces at lineu.icb.usp.br [mailto:leish-l-bounces at lineu.icb.usp.br] On Behalf Of Hugo Valdivia
Sent: lundi 27 mars 2017 06:31
To: Leish-L
Subject: [Leish-l] Status of PCR for CL diagnosis

Dear colleagues,

We have been recently questioned about the use of PCR for CL  diagnosis given that the Peruvian Ministry of health considers microscopy as the standard practice for CL diagnosis. In this sense, I would like to hear your thoughts about the use of PCR for CL diagnosis, specially from those colleagues working in reference diagnostic centers. What I reviewed made me think that there is no a consensus yet on the topic.

Thank you for the information that you can provide and hope to see you in WL6.

Best regards,
Hugo O. Valdivia,  BSc, PhD
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