Histopathological findings and diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, confirmed by PCR, in an endemic region of Brazil

Histopathological findings and diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, confirmed by PCR, in an endemic region of Brazil

Introduction: Diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is difficult, and the correct use of histopathological criteria can be useful in clinical practice. The present study evaluates the association between histopathological findings and the results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in clinically...

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Main Authors: Heber P Pena, Vinícius S Belo, Igor dC Fontes, Saulo N de Melo, Paulo HA Soares, Ingrid M Santos, Tiago J Leitão, Maria Zélia dO Costa, Rafael G Teixeira-Neto, Eduardo S da Silva, José Cândido C Xavier-Junior
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2024-06-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Subjects:
cutaneous leishmaniasis
diagnosis
PCR
histopathology
Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/18120
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Summary:Introduction: Diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is difficult, and the correct use of histopathological criteria can be useful in clinical practice. The present study evaluates the association between histopathological findings and the results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in clinically suspected cases of CL. Methodology: Skin samples were received in a laboratory from an endemic region of Brazil for over nine years. Associations were analyzed by means of the Chi square test with a 5% level of significance. Results: Of the 222 examined samples, 190 (85.6%) tested positive by PCR. All 25 cases identified by microscopic examination also tested positive by PCR. Except for the more intense inflammatory infiltrate, all other evaluated histological variables (ulceration, epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, presence of granuloma, neutrophils, histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasmocytes, and necrosis) were not significantly associated with PCR positivity. Conclusions: The intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate is a good indicator of the occurrence of CL. Histopathological aspects are useful to increase the predictive values of CL diagnoses, but PCR is still necessary to confirm or exclude the disease.
ISSN:1972-2680

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