We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Vircell S.L.

Vircell is a biotechnology company specializing in the development and production of ready-to-use reagents for the di... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Commercial Kits Evaluated for Mediterranean Visceral Leishmaniasis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Apr 2020
Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected disease endemic in the Mediterranean region, caused by Leishmania infantum. More...
Accurate VL diagnosis is critical for rapid and correct patient management. Dogs are the main reservoir of L. infantum parasites that are transmitted to humans by the bite of infected phlebotomine sand flies.

Parasite detection by microscopic examination of bone marrow aspirates is the gold standard method, but lacks sensitivity and requires invasive procedures. The culture of parasites isolated from patients might improve the diagnostic sensitivity. Various methods are used for VL serodiagnosis and molecular tests have been employed.

A team of scientists at the Université de Montpellier (Montpellier, France) and their international colleagues tested serum samples from 319 patients living in France, Tunisia or Morocco. The population of 181 with proven VL included 65 immunocompromised patients.

The serum samples were tested with two immunochromatographic tests (ICT): IT LEISH and TruQuick LEISH IgG/IgM (Meridianbioscience, Cincinnati, OH, USA) and four enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reagents: NovaLisa Leishmania infantum IgG (NovaTec Immundiagnostica GmbH, Dietzenbach, Germany); Bordier Leishmania infantum (Bordier Affinity Products SA, Crissier, Switzerland); Ridascreen Leishmania IgG (R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany); and Vircell Leishmania (Vircell, Granada, Spain).

The team reported that significantly higher percentages of false-negative results were obtained with all assays in immunocompromised patients, compared with the immunocompetent population. In the whole population, sensitivity and specificity ranged from 80.7% to 93.9% and from 95.7% to 100%, respectively. The maximum accuracy was observed with the Bordier and Vircell ELISA kits (96.2%), and the lowest accuracy with Ridascreen reagent (88.7%). New thresholds of positivity are proposed for the Bordier, Vircell and NovaLisa ELISA kits to achieve 95% sensitivity with the highest possible specificity. Western blot (WB), used as a confirmation method, showed 100% sensitivity and identified 10.1% of asymptomatic carriers among the control population from the South of France.

The authors concluded that the Vircell and Bordier ELISA kits displayed significantly higher accuracy rates in the whole population than the other tests. For field studies, the TruQuick ICT is the most suitable with satisfactory performances. In immunocompromised patients, the index values of all ELISA reagents were significantly lower than in the immunocompetent population and false-negative results were more frequent. The study was published on March 25, 2020 in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.



Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Hemodynamic System Monitor
OptoMonitor
Laboratory Software
ArtelWare
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Private equity firms Blackstone and TPG have joined forces to acquire Hologic in a major healthcare deal (Photo courtesy of Hologic)

Hologic to be Acquired by Blackstone and TPG

Hologic (Marlborough, MA, USA) has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds managed by Blackstone (New York, NY, USA) and TPG (San Francisco, CA, USA) in a transaction valued at up to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.