Leprosy Mailing List – April 14th, 2011
Ref. What is the value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of leprosy?
From: A. Clapasson, Genoa, Italy
Dear Salvatore,
Thank you very much to Drs Antoine Mahé and Elsa Rada for introducing the above mentioned topic (LML 9 and 11 April 20011). I would like to point out the following references:
“PCR primers that can detect low levels of Mycobacterium leprae DNA. Donoghue HD, Holton J, Spigelman M. J Med Microbiol. 2001 Feb;50(2):177-82”. In this article you find the answers needed. In my opinion, the paper explains the best PCR technique for the detection of DNA of M. leprae.
Another interesting article is: “Comparison of two different PCR amplification products (the 18-kDa protein gene vs. RLEP repetitive sequence) in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium leprae. T.-J. Kang, S.-K. Kim, S.-B. Lee, G.-T. Chae and J.-P. Kim. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2003: 28(4), 420–424”.
PCR has many critics. However, never forget that the laboratory technician cannotproduce a useful result if the clinician does not provide the appropriate sample for analysis and the right conditions. You need a suitable biological sample to have a reliable result.
The diagnosis of leprosy can be a puzzle that is assembled only after putting all the data together from both clinical and laboratory examinations. Relying on a single test is very risky.
Andrea Clapasson
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