Comparative Analysis of Microscopy, Leishmanin Skin Test (LST), and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) for the Diagnosis of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Mohammad  Hamedanipour; Mohammad  Barati; Zahra  Mirabedini; Mehdi  Mohebali; Alireza  Latifi; Zahra  Kakooei

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18101

Mohammad Hamedanipour Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Barati Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Mirabedini Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Mohebali Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Latifi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Kakooei Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18101

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmania-sis; Microscopy test; Leishmanin skin test; Direct agglutination test; Human

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a highly infectious parasitic disease in Iran. Although various diagnostic methods are available, identifying a sensitive and specific approach remains essential for effective treatment and disease management. We aimed to compare microscopy, the Leishmanin Skin Test (LST), and the Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) for diagnosis of human CL.

Methods: Fifty samples were obtained from clinically suspected CL cases. The results of conventional methods, including microscopy, the LST, and the DAT, were then compared among these samples. For microscopical examination considered a gold standard, smears were stained with Giemsa 10% and then examined for the observation of amastigote forms for the LST, 0.1 ml of standard Leishmanin solution was intradermally injected into positive patients, and then indurations were measured after 48-72 hours; an induration of ≥5 mm was considered positive. Additionally, anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected using DAT on positive collected serum samples.

Results: Out of 50 samples collected from individuals suspected of CL, 66% (33/50) of them showed positive results using microscopic examination. Among these 33 patients diagnosed with CL, 9% (3/33) tested positive in the LST, and only 1 (3%) patient showed specific antibodies against Leishmania using DAT.

Conclusion: The microscopy method appears to be more suitable for diagnosing CL. However, there is a clear need for additional diagnostic methods with more validity for CL.