DETECTION OF LEISHMANIA IN THE BLOOD OF EARLY KALA-AZAR PATIENTS WITHTHE AID OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Samples from 39 patients with symptoms suggestive of early visceral le ishmaniasis were independently assayed by microscopy of tissue smears, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reacti on (PCR) of blood deoxyribonucleic acid. Of these patients, 19 were co nfirmed as positive or negative by all 3 tests; 11 patients (28%) nega tive by smear were positive by ELISA and PCR; and 7 (18%) were positiv e by PCR alone. These results demonstrate the high sensitivity of the nbn-invasive PCR and, to a smaller extent, ELISA, in the early diagnos is of visceral leishmaniasis.