Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Jun 2011)

Improvement of a PCR test to diagnose infection by Mansonella ozzardi

  • Luana Janaína Souza Vera,
  • Sergio de Almeida Basano,
  • Juliana de Souza Almeida Aranha Camargo,
  • Andonai Krauze de França,
  • Ricardo de Godoi Mattos Ferreira,
  • Almeida Andrade Casseb,
  • Jansen Fernandes Medeiros,
  • Gilberto Fontes,
  • Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0037-86822011000300023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 44, no. 3
pp. 380 – 382

Abstract

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INTRODUCTION: Mansonelliasis is caused by Mansonella ozzardi. It is widespread in the Amazon region, with a high prevalence. The common exam of thick blood smears stained with Giemsa shows low efficacy levels and has been an obstacle to diagnosing individuals with low blood parasitemia. METHODS: In order to increase diagnosis efficacy, the PCR technique was improved. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: PCR demonstrated the best performance, with sensitivity and negative predictive values (NPV) of 100%, followed by blood filtration through membrane filters, which showed a sensitivity of 88.9% and a NPV of 84.6%, when compared to thick blood smears.

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