Mastomys natalensis, Cricetomys gambianus and Taterillus sp. were found PCR positive for Leishmania major in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, was recognized as a focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis in April 2000. Leishmania major was the only strain isolated in this focus. We conducted a prospective study to detect L.

Detection and identification of Leishmania species from clinical specimens by using a real-time PCR assay and sequencing of the cytochrome B gene.

Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases are heterogenous entities. The Leishmania species that a given patient harbors usually cannot be determined clinically, and this identification is essential to prescribe the best species-specific therapeutic regimen. Our diagnosis procedure includes a real-time PCR assay targeted at the 18S rRNA gene, which detects all Leishmania species but which is not specific for a given Leishmania species.

Serum procalcitonin in uncomplicated falciparum malaria: a preliminary study.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been found elevated in complicated forms of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Its usefulness has almost never been assessed in uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

Method: We assessed diagnostic and prognostic value of PCT in a prospective series of 25 adults with uncomplicated P.

Leishmania major and HIV co-infection in Burkina Faso.

The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has increased in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso since 1996. A study was carried out from September to November 2000 to determine the impact of HIV on this outbreak. Of 74 CL patients, 10 were co-infected with HIV.