New PCR Variants Evaluated for Global Diagnostics of Leishmaniasis
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 04 Nov 2014 |
|
![Image: Leishmania detection sensitivity – Percentage of positivity in the different hsp70-PCRs (G, F, N, C), evaluated in the total of 98 clinical pre-confirmed cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis case samples (All) and in different subsets (Bone marrow, Blood/BC[buffy coat], Lymph node, Skin biopsy) (Phot courtesy of Montalvo et al., September 2014, and the journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease).](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2014-11-04/MMS-122.jpg "Image: Leishmania detection sensitivity – Percentage of positivity in the different hsp70-PCRs (G, F, N, C), evaluated in the total of 98 clinical pre-confirmed cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis case samples (All) and in different subsets (Bone marrow, Blood/BC[buffy coat], Lymph node, Skin biopsy) (Phot courtesy of Montalvo et al., September 2014, and the journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease).")
Image: Leishmania detection sensitivity – Percentage of positivity in the different hsp70-PCRs (G, F, N, C), evaluated in the total of 98 clinical pre-confirmed cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis case samples (All) and in different subsets (Bone marrow, Blood/BC[buffy coat], Lymph node, Skin biopsy) (Phot courtesy of Montalvo et al., September 2014, and the journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease).
A study of three new PCR variants based on the leishmanial hsp70 gene, evaluated directly on clinical samples, has demonstrated the new tools to be globally applicable for Leishmania species-level typing in various geographical, clinical, and sampling contexts.
In the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, identification of the causative Leishmania species is also important for treatment and prognosis, as well as for epidemiology (including documentation of sympatric and imported species), identification of new non-human reservoir hosts, and for establishing the link in cases of treatment failure. Three new PCR variants based on the hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70) gene had recently been developed and validated directly (without the need for culturing) on New World clinical samples from Peru.
Now, an international team, led by Prof. Gert Van der Auwera of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) at Antwerp (Belgium), has evaluated the performance of these PCRs on a set of 133 pre-confirmed positive or negative clinical samples (42 cutaneous and 56 visceral leishmaniasis patients, and 35 negative cases) – all from Old World countries: Italy, Sudan, Israel, and Tunisia. Samples were retrospective (had been previously collected) and included bone marrow, blood, buffy coat, lymph node aspirates, and lesion biopsies.
Results showed that the three new PCRs were more sensitive than those previously described for hsp70, and their respective restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses were more efficient for species identification. Also, in 79% of the confirmed positive samples, the species could be identified directly from original sample DNA.
The study described by Montalvo AM et al. in the September 2014, issue of the journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease suggests that these PCRs have potential for becoming a global reference method for identification of Leishmania species in clinical specimens.
Related Links:
Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) at Antwerp
In the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, identification of the causative Leishmania species is also important for treatment and prognosis, as well as for epidemiology (including documentation of sympatric and imported species), identification of new non-human reservoir hosts, and for establishing the link in cases of treatment failure. Three new PCR variants based on the hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70) gene had recently been developed and validated directly (without the need for culturing) on New World clinical samples from Peru.
Now, an international team, led by Prof. Gert Van der Auwera of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) at Antwerp (Belgium), has evaluated the performance of these PCRs on a set of 133 pre-confirmed positive or negative clinical samples (42 cutaneous and 56 visceral leishmaniasis patients, and 35 negative cases) – all from Old World countries: Italy, Sudan, Israel, and Tunisia. Samples were retrospective (had been previously collected) and included bone marrow, blood, buffy coat, lymph node aspirates, and lesion biopsies.
Results showed that the three new PCRs were more sensitive than those previously described for hsp70, and their respective restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses were more efficient for species identification. Also, in 79% of the confirmed positive samples, the species could be identified directly from original sample DNA.
The study described by Montalvo AM et al. in the September 2014, issue of the journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease suggests that these PCRs have potential for becoming a global reference method for identification of Leishmania species in clinical specimens.
Related Links:
Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) at Antwerp
Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
New
Automated Immunoassay Analyzer
SuperFlex™
Gold Member
Electrolyte Analyzer
CBS-4000 (CBS-400)
Latest Microbiology News
- Molecular Panel Gains WHO Emergency Use Listing to Support Ebola Outbreak Response
- Rapid Host-Response Test Aims to Predict Corticosteroid Benefit in Sepsis
- Oral and Lung Microbiome Changes Linked to Severe Long Covid Symptoms
- Study Finds Distinct Malaria Parasites Linked to Sickle Cell Trait Protection
- Rapid Urine Test Aids Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
- Nanodroplet CRISPR Technology Supports Rapid, Multiplexed Mycobacterial Identification
- Genomic Workflow Identifies Fungal Pathogens Before Blood Cultures Turn Positive
- FDA-Cleared Multiplex PCR Test Detects 13 Respiratory Pathogens in a Single Sample
- One-Hour Molecular Panel Expands Bloodstream Infection Testing for Gram-Negative Pathogens
- FDA Clears Rapid Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility System for Positive Blood Cultures
- New Urine Test Expands Mycotoxin Analysis to 31 Markers for Broader Exposure Assessment
- Collaboration Targets Blood-Based Ebola Detection Outside Central Laboratories
- Study Finds Frequent Overlap in Antibodies to Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens
- Early-Life Gut Microbiome Changes May Help Assess Type 1 Diabetes Risk
- FDA Breakthrough-Designated Urine Panel Aims to Shorten Pathogen and Susceptibility Testing
- Expanded Newborn Screening Program Increases Detection of Congenital Cytomegalovirus
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Common Kidney Function Tests May Miss CKD in Cancer Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can complicate cancer care, as reduced kidney filtration may affect treatment eligibility and dosing. In oncology, kidney function assessment often relies on estimated glomerular... Read more
Point-of-Care Blood Biomarker Test Detects Brain Injury Missed by CT
Traumatic brain injury remains difficult to assess in emergency settings because some patients continue to have symptoms despite normal computed tomography findings. Approximately 2.8 million people in the U.... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Six-Gene Score Improves Prognosis Prediction in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer with outcomes that can vary widely from one patient to another. This variability complicates prognosis despite the laboratory information available from bone... Read more
Long-Read Sequencing Reveals Cancer-Driving Changes Missed by Conventional Testing
Cancer diagnosis often relies on identifying genomic alterations that influence tumor behavior and treatment selection. However, conventional short-read sequencing can miss complex DNA changes, leaving... Read more
Whole-Genome MRD Test Detects Traces of Cancer During and After Treatment
Small amounts of cancer can remain after treatment at levels that are difficult to detect, creating uncertainty about recurrence risk. Molecular residual disease (MRD) testing addresses this challenge... Read more
Molecular Vaginitis Panel Gains FDA Clearance and CLIA Waiver for Point-of-Care Use
Vaginitis affects most women at least once in their lifetime and can cause painful, disruptive symptoms. Common causes include bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis, reflecting... Read moreHematology
view channel
New Risk-Stratification Tool Predicts Relapse After Blinatumomab in Childhood ALL
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young people requires careful assessment of relapse risk, particularly as treatment approaches move beyond standard chemotherapy. Traditional relapse predictors... Read more
New Myelofibrosis Guidelines Recommend Expanded Genetic Testing at Diagnosis
Myelofibrosis is a rare, life-threatening blood cancer affecting up to six per 100,000 people. The disease causes scarring in the bone marrow, limiting the production of healthy blood cells and potentially... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Antibody Profiling Predicts Inflammatory Bowel Disease Years Before Diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, involves abnormal immune responses that cause persistent inflammation and damage in the digestive system.... Read more
Immune Profiling Initiative Aims to Improve Bone Marrow Analysis in Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer in which assessing disease burden after therapy can help guide clinical evaluation. Patients with measurable residual disease (MRD) after treatment... Read more
Immune Profiling Identifies Early Maternal Autoantibodies Linked to Preterm Birth Risk
A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, but labor begins prematurely in roughly one in 10 pregnancies. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide, yet its underlying causes and which... Read more
Longitudinal Blood Testing Reveals Changes in Allergen Sensitization During Childhood
Food allergy is a major childhood health concern, and distinguishing persistent risk from transient sensitization can guide clinical decisions. Specific IgE antibodies may be detectable even when a child... Read morePathology
view channel
Digital Pathology Test Stratifies Recurrence Risk in Early Breast Cancer
In hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer, accurate recurrence-risk assessment helps guide treatment decisions. However, individual risks... Read more
AI Pathology Tool Predicts DNA Repair Deficiency in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
High-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma is an aggressive cancer arising in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Some tumors exhibit homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), a feature reflecting impaired DNA repair.... Read more
Technology
view channel
Compact PCR Thermal Cycler Launches for Routine Molecular Laboratory Workflows
Molecular laboratories rely on nucleic acid analysis to detect molecular information accurately and reproducibly across a wide range of applications. Supporting these routine workflows, a newly launched... Read more
New AI-Powered System Aims to Streamline Laboratory and Manufacturing Workflows
Scientific laboratories supporting drug development, biotechnology, and materials research increasingly rely on coordinated digital workflows to move data, samples, and activities across teams.... Read more
Industry
view channel
Collaboration Brings Tumor-Informed MRD Monitoring to Breast Cancer Care in Abu Dhabi
For many patients, cancer treatment does not eliminate the risk of recurrence, which may occur months or years later and become harder to treat after spreading. Recurrence is often detected only after... Read more
