Specificity of the rapid rK39 antigen-based immunochromatographic test Kalazar Detect(r) in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the specificity of a rapid immunochromatographic test that was developed to detect antibodies against the rK39 antigen for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This evaluation was performed using sera from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of active cutaneous leishmaniasis. The sera from 272 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of localised cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) who resided in an area endemic for Leishmania braziliensis in Brazil were obtained before the initiation of antileishmanial treatment.

Early enlargement of an ulcerated area during leishmaniasis treatment with meglumine antimoniate in Brazil.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a public health problem in Brazil, where meglumine antimoniate is the drug of choice for treatment. Ulcers treated with pentavalent antimonials show increasing diameters during the first weeks of drug exposure.

Method: We evaluated data from patients previously enrolled into an open study to compare changes in the ulcerated area of 189 lesions in 101 patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis and L.

HDV genotypes in the Western Brazilian Amazon region: A preliminary report.

In Brazil, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is only reported in Western Amazonia, where severe cases of acute and chronic HDV hepatitis have been described. The study area was chosen in the States of Acre and Rondonia where most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HDV are reported. From December 2003 to October 2004, 40 HBsAg carriers with anti-HDV IgM were selected.