Identification of Old World Leishmania spp. by specific polymerase chain reaction amplification of cysteine proteinase B genes and rapid dipstick detection

Thierry Laurent, Gert Van der Auwera, Mallorie Hide, Pascal Mertens, Wilber Quispe-Tintaya, Stijn Deborggraeve, Simonne De Doncker, Thierry Leclipteux, Anne Laure Bañuls, Philippe Büscher, Jean Claude Dujardin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

We used the cysteine proteinase B (cpb) gene family of the trypanosomatid genus Leishmania as a target to develop rapid, specific, and easy-to-use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to discriminate Leishmania infantum, Leishmania donovani, Leishmania tropica, Leishmania aethiopica, and Leishmania major. Identification of all 5 Old World species and validation of intraspecies variability are features lacking in other species-specific PCRs. Amplicon analysis was done on agarose gels and was further simplified by using an oligochromatography dipstick to detect L. infantum and L. donovani products. Because the analytical sensitivity is lower than that of certain other species- and genus-specific PCRs, our assays are especially valuable for use on cultured isolates or directly on cryostabilates. As such, they can be implemented by research and health centers having access to culturing, DNA isolation, and PCR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)173-181
Number of pages9
JournalDiagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Volume63
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009

Keywords

  • Cysteine protease B
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Dipstick
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Oligochromatography
  • Trypanosomatidae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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