Evaluation of a direct immunofluorescent antibody (difma) test using Leishmania genus - specific monoclonal antibody in the routine diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Martha E. Chico, Ronald H. Guderian, Philip J. Cooper, Rodrigo Armijos, Max Grogl
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 1995
• Subjects: Leishmaniose cutânea; Diagnóstico; Anticorpos monoclonais; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0037-86821995000200002; https://doaj.org/article/5c04faa01ce1431b8d81f139b5c58201

A direct immunofluorescent antibody (DIFMA) test using a Leishmania genus- specific monoclonal antibody was evaluated in the routine diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ecuador. This test was compared with the standard diagnostic techniques of scrapings, culture and histology. Diagnostic samples were taken from a total of 90 active dermal ulcers from patients from areas of Ecuador known to be endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis. DIFMA was positive in all lesions. It was shown to be significantly superior to standard diagnostic methods either alone or in combination. The sensitivity of DIFMA did not diminish with chronicity of lesions. This test proved to be extremely useful in the routine diagnosis of CL because it is highly sensitive, is easy to use and produces rapid results.