Shabnam Asfaram1, Mahdi Fakhar2,3, Najmeh Mirani1, Majid Derakhshani-Niya4, Reza Valadan5, Hajar Ziaei Hezarjaribi1, Seyed Naser Emadi6. 1. Department of Parasitology, Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 2. Department of Parasitology, Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. mahdif53@yahoo.com. 3. Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis (INRCL), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Farah-Abad Road, P.O Box: 48471-91971,, Sari, Iran. mahdif53@yahoo.com. 4. Leishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 5. Department of Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 6. Skin Research Center, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered one of the main health problems in Iran. Therefore, it is required for control and therapeutic purposes, an accurate and fast tool for the diagnosis and identification of Leishmania species. METHODS: In the present study, three techniques, including microscopic examination, conventional PCR, and high-resolution melting (HRM)-PCR, have been evaluated, to find the most accurate and rapid test. In total, 105 skin scraping smears were taken from suspected dermal lesions of patients belonging to two known endemic CL areas, Gonbad and Bam districts, in Iran. Subsequently, the specimens were analyzed with microscopic, conventional PCR, and HRM-PCR techniques. RESULTS: Most positive samples (89.5%) were observed using HRM-PCR, and among the three techniques, HRM-PCR was the most sensitive (89%, 95% CI 81-94) technique. Microscopic examination test had the lowest sensitivity (57%, 95% CI 47-66%). The highest agreement among positive samples was observed between HRM-PCR and conventional PCR tests. DISCUSSION: Our results showed that the HRM-PCR technique is the most accurate and sensitive test for recognizing CL, and also a valuable alternative test for conventional PCR to detect various species.
BACKGROUND:Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered one of the main health problems in Iran. Therefore, it is required for control and therapeutic purposes, an accurate and fast tool for the diagnosis and identification of Leishmania species. METHODS: In the present study, three techniques, including microscopic examination, conventional PCR, and high-resolution melting (HRM)-PCR, have been evaluated, to find the most accurate and rapid test. In total, 105 skin scraping smears were taken from suspected dermal lesions of patients belonging to two known endemic CL areas, Gonbad and Bam districts, in Iran. Subsequently, the specimens were analyzed with microscopic, conventional PCR, and HRM-PCR techniques. RESULTS: Most positive samples (89.5%) were observed using HRM-PCR, and among the three techniques, HRM-PCR was the most sensitive (89%, 95% CI 81-94) technique. Microscopic examination test had the lowest sensitivity (57%, 95% CI 47-66%). The highest agreement among positive samples was observed between HRM-PCR and conventional PCR tests. DISCUSSION: Our results showed that the HRM-PCR technique is the most accurate and sensitive test for recognizing CL, and also a valuable alternative test for conventional PCR to detect various species.