Visceral Leishmaniasis (Anew Approach in diagnosis)

Abstract

This Study· is to investigate the Visceral LeishmaniEJ,sis among 8

susp<:;cted   infants and  young chUdren admitted  1o  AI-Khadhtmiya

Pediatric  Hospital   in Baghdad  between  January  1,2005 o August

31,2005  .For  each  patieni,   a  medical   history  was  obtained  and   a complete physical  examination  was  performed   by physicians  . The serums  of  the .suspected  c_es  were primarily diagnosed by using a new ,simple diagnostic method  bas.ed  on detecting antib9dies  against the  recombinant  K 39  antigen   by innnunochromatographic format

(Dipstick  test).  The positei

cases.  were sent  to  the  Central  Health

Laboratory   in   Baghdad  to  he  confirmed   by  indirect   fluorescent antibody  test QFAT)with speCial chart for notifying  the patient's residency in details .

The ihcidence  of infection was (J 2%)1  most  patients  were from males and the majority  of cases were from Baghdad  .The study also showed the investigators evaluation  for performance of the test and its s nsitivity and specificUy  in different  endemic  areas  which proved that  the test  is ·a new, simple ,and specific reli_a le diagnostic  method and ()oulcl _be used for the primary diagnosis ,of endemie foci in remote areas which have poor access to health services _