DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i05.033

Pages: 1958-1960

Cutaneous leishmaniasis CL) is a major health problem in many countries. Traditional diagnostic tests such as direct microscopy are not always conclusive. purpose of this study is to compare the sensitivity and specificity of these two important diagnostic test: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and direct microscopy for diagnosis of CL. As a prospective study, results of Giemsa stained smear of 100 clinically suspected case of CL, compared with polymerase chain reaction method by use of parasite-specific kinetoplastic DNA sequence. The Results of The sensitivity for CL is 89% in direct microscopy while sensitivity in PCR assay was 97%. In this study the cause of majority of CL (69.69%), was Leishmania major by nested PCR method. In Conclusion although the sensitivity of PCR assay for CL is significantly higher in comparison with direct microscopy, but direct microscopy is a valuable diagnostic test for diagnosis CL in our endemic region which may need to be evaluated in negative direct smear but clinically highly suspected patient by PCR.