Evaluation of molecular techniques to visceral leishmaniasis detection in asymptomatic patients: a systematic review.
Expert Rev Mol Diagn
; 21(5): 493-504, 2021 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33719847
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a systemic and neglected parasitic disease. Its main symptoms are fever, splenomegaly with or without hepatomegaly, and anemia, however, most individuals remain asymptomatic. Due to the lack of a gold standard and the limitations of current diagnostic techniques, where parasitology is ethically unfeasible for individuals without symptoms and serological tests do not differentiate between past and present disease, molecular methodologies are the most suitable. AREAS COVERED We performed a systematic review analyzing the molecular techniques based on PCR used, so far, to detect asymptomatic cases of VL in humans. Structured searches were carried out on PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science databases without time and language restrictions. Two reviewers evaluated the studies, performed data extraction, and quality assessment by assigning scores. EXPERT OPINION qPCR using RNA targets can be used in the diagnosis of asymptomatic cases of human VL, due to its characteristics. We recommend further studies to analyze the methodology, mainly observing the use of different rRNA targets. Therefore, we hope that this technique contributed to the construction of public policies that address the diagnosis and handling of asymptomatic patients.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Leishmaniose Visceral
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article