Operational validation of the direct agglutination test for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

Boelaert, Marleen; Safi, Sayda El; Jacquet, D.; Muynck, A. De; Stuyft, Patrick Van der; Ray, D. Le

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.129

Cited by 60 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Our results showed the sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 93% respectively. These results corroborated well with the results of other researchers (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). The rK39 strip test showed 98% sensitivity and 89% specificity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

In Search of an Ideal Test for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Kala-azar

Singh

Goyal

Singh

et al. 2010

J Health Popul Nutr

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The latex agglutination test (KAtex), direct agglutination test (DAT), and the rK39 immuno-chromatographic strip test (dipstick test) were evaluated for their role in the diagnosis and prognosis of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in India. Sera and urine samples from 455 subjects-150 confirmed visceral leishmaniasis cases, 160 endemic controls, 100 non-endemic controls, and 45 other febrile diseases-were included in the study. The sensitivity of the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test was 87% [95% confidence interval (CI) 80-96], 93.3% (95% CI 88-100), and 98% (95% CI 93-100) respectively. The specificity of these tests was 98% (95% CI 93-100), 93% (95% CI 87-100), and 89% (95% CI 82-97) for the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test respectively. Fifty cases were followed up and subjected to the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test after 30 days of successful treatment. The DAT and rK39 strip test showed positive results in all the 50 cases whereas the KAtex showed no positive reaction in any case. Based on the results, it is concluded that the sensitivity and specificity of the DAT and rK39 strip test are comparable but the greater convenience of use of the strip test makes it a better tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in the peripheral areas of endemic regions whereas the sensitivity of the KAtex needs to be improved to promote its use as a first-line diagnostic test in the field-setting. It may be used for the prognosis of the disease as antigen becomes undetectable in urine after 30 days of the completion of the treatment. Alternatively, it can be used as an adjunct with rK39 for sero-epidemiological surveys.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

In Search of an Ideal Test for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Kala-azar

Singh

Goyal

Singh

et al. 2010

J Health Popul Nutr

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“…Because the clinical manifestations of infected dogs are variable and nonspecific, the diagnosis may be difficult to manage disease (Ferreira Ede et al 2007). There are several methods for the diagnosis of CVL, among the serological method, DAT is the reliable, practical, affordable and excellent test for diagnosis of HVL and CVL (Boelaert et al 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canine visceral leishmaniasis: seroprevalence survey of asymptomatic dogs in an endemic area of northwestern Iran

et al. 2013

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Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a major public health problem that is endemic in tropical and sub tropical countries and is fatal in humans and dogs. In addition to symptomatic dogs, asymptomatic ones seem as source of Leishmania infantum infection. Thus surveillance and control programs of reservoir hosts are essential. This study aimed to evaluate the sero-prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in asymptomatic domestic dogs from in an endemic area of north west, Iran. A cross sectional study was carried out in Meshkin-Shahr district during 2011-2012. Blood samples collected from 508 asymptomatic domestic dogs were tested by direct agglutination test. In this study 508 dogs (397 males and 111 females, mean age, 3.24 years) from western and eastern parts of the MeshkinShahr were examined. A total of 508 dogs examined 119 dogs (23.4 %) had antibodies (titers of C1:320) against L. infantum. Statistically significance was occurred between male (25.4 %) and female (16.2) sero-prevalence (P = 0.042). No statistically significance was observed between age groups (P = 0.22). Compared with previous studies it seems to increase sero-prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in the studied areas caused by ecological changes. High proportion of asymptomatic but seropositive dogs emphasizes the importance of dogs without clinical signs in the epidemiology of zoonotic leishmaniasis. Thus, the necessity of using serological tests in asymptomatic dogs is recommended for disease control strategy.

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“…The definitive diagnosis of VL is the demonstration of amastigotes (Giemsa-stained slides) in splenic smears (sensitivity of 95% to 98%) or bone marrow aspirates (sensitivity of 53% to 95%) (2,3,29,30). Serology-based tests, such as direct agglutination test, rk39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and dipstick, have high sensitivities and specificities (24,25) but cannot discriminate between past and current infections.…”

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confidence: 99%