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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
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ISSN: 1606-0997
EISSN: 1606-0997
Vol. 28, No. 3, 2010, pp. 281-285
Bioline Code: hn10036
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol. 28, No. 3, 2010, pp. 281-285

 en In search of an ideal test for diagnosis and prognosis of Kala-azar
Singh, Dharmendra P.; Goyal, Rahul K.; Singh, Rahul K.; Sundar, S. & Mohapatra, Tribhuban M.

Abstract

The latex agglutination test (KAtex), direct agglutination test (DAT), and the rK39 immuno-chromato-graphic strip test (dipstick test) were evaluated for their role in the diagnosis and prognosis of visceral leish-maniasis (kala-azar) in India. Sera and urine samples from 455 subjects-150 confirmed visceral leishmani-asis 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 sensitivi-ty 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 diagnos-tic 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.

Keywords
Diagnosis, Laboratory; Direct agglutination test; KAtex; rK39 strip test; Visceral leishmaniasis; India

 
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