DNA diagnosis of human leishmaniasis.

Early identification of the causal agent of human leishmaniasis is difficult even in a well-equipped hospital. This makes early treatment of cases more difficult, and also adds to the problem of accurately assessing the prevalence and incidence of the disease. Incrimination of vector species of sandfies and reservoir hosts is also complicated by difficulties in detecting and identifying the infective organisms. Although the importance of leishmantasis is now well-recognized, improved methods of diagnosis have been much in demand (Box 1). In this article. Douglas Barker reviews progress in developing diagnostic DNA probes for the parasites, that are suitable for use even in field areas.