Leishmaniasis detection

When to request this test

• Cutaneous lesions: chronic, painless, non-healing ulcers or nodules
• Visceral symptoms (if Leishmania donovani is suspected): fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, pancytopenia

Interferences and limitations

• Microscopy (direct examination) with Giemsa-stained smears from skin biopsies, ulcer scrapings, or bone marrow aspirates (for visceral Leishmaniasis): test sensitivity: 40-70%, higher in recent lesions
• PCR: highly sensitive for detecting Leishmania species in blood, skin, or bone marrow samples
• Serology: primarily for visceral leishmaniasis, but less useful for cutaneous forms

May show cross-reactivity with other parasite (e.g. Trypanosoma)

1 day

• Sample nature: Skin biopsies, ulcer scrapings, or bone marrow aspirates (for visceral Leishmaniasis), blood if serology
• Recommended volume: 1 sample
• Type of container: Sterile container (biopsy), EDTA tube (bone marrow), serum tube (serology)

<2h at room temperature