DIAGNOSIS OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS BY THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION USING BLOOD, BONE-MARROW AND LYMPH-NODE SAMPLES FROM PATIENTS FROM THESUDAN

We have evaluated the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PC R) as a diagnostic tool for Leishmania donovani using blood, bone marr ow and lymph node samples from Sudanese patients with a confirmed infe ction. Forty patients were diagnosed by microscopic examination of bon e marrow or lymph node samples. The PCR was able to detect parasite DN A in 37 out of 40 blood samples. In bone marrow and lymph node samples , the PCR was able to detect parasite DNA in all 7 and 6 samples, resp ectively. We suggest that the PCR should be considered as a valuable a nd sensitive tool for the diagnosis of L. donovani infection. However, if PCR diagnosis is to supplement or even replace microscopic diagnos is in developing countries, a large number of patients with no apparen t signs of infection and patients with other diseases have to be teste d in order to evaluate its true potential.