Rapid test for Mycobacterium leprae infection: a practical tool for leprosy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Detection of infection with Mycobacterium leprae allows timely prophylactic treatment, thereby reducing transmission as well as the risk of permanent, leprosy-associated nerve damage. However, since there is no worldwide-implemented standard test for M. leprae infection, detection of infection in asymptomatic individuals remains a major challenge for control programs in endemic areas. In previous studies, we developed and field-tested a lateral flow assay (LFA) quantitatively detecting human IgM against M. leprae-specific phenolic glycolipid I (anti-PGL-I), a marker for both active and past infection. This rapid test utilizes luminescent, background-free, up-converting reporter particles (UCP) and immunochromatography (i.e. the UCP-LF test platform) for accurate quantita

SUBMITTER: Pierneef L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11610287 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature