Open AccessRevisiting the role of the slit-skin smear in the diagnosis of Indian post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis
Author(s) -
Aradhana Bhargava,
V. Ramesh,
Sandeep Verma,
Poonam Salotra,
Manju Bala
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.514
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 0973-3922
pISSN - 0378-6323
DOI - 10.4103/ijdvl.ijdvl_970_16
Subject(s) - biopsy , parasite hosting , leishmaniasis , skin biopsy , pathology , leishmania donovani , visceral leishmaniasis , cutaneous leishmaniasis , parasite load , medicine , biology , immune system , immunology , world wide web , computer science
Post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a neglected dermatosis that develops as a sequel to kala azar after apparent complete treatment. Being a non life threatening condition, patients often delay treatment thereby maintaining a reservoir of infection. The diagnosis of PKDL rests on the demonstration of the parasite in tissue smears, immune diagnosis by detection of parasite antigen or antibody in blood, or detection and quantitation of parasite DNA in tissue specimens. Sophisticated molecular tests are not only expensive but also need skilled hands and expensive equipment. To be useful, diagnostic methods must be accurate, simple and affordable for the population for which they are intended.