Evaluating the accuracy of molecular diagnostic testing for canine visceral leishmaniasis using latent class analysis.

ABSTRACT: Host tissues affected by Leishmania infantum have differing degrees of parasitism. Previously, the use of different biological tissues to detect L. infantum DNA in dogs has provided variable results. The present study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of molecular diagnostic testing (qPCR) in dogs from an endemic area for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) by determining which tissue type provided the highest rate of parasite DNA detection. Fifty-one symptomatic dogs were tested for CVL using serological, parasitological and molecular methods. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed for accuracy evaluation of these methods. qPCR detected parasite DNA in 100% of these animals from at least one of the following tissues: splenic and bone marrow aspirates, lymph node and skin fragments

SUBMITTER: Solca Mda S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4116254 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature