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

A competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by enzyme-linked-imm unoassay-based verification of PCR products has been developed, which facil itated 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 amphoterici n B, the skin manifestations disappeared, and leishmania DNA could no longe r be detected by PCR. In the context of growing military involvement in are as where leishmaniasis is prevalent, this assay may help detect or, due to its internal controls, exclude cases of infection with this parasite.