A High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRM) PCR assay for the detection and identification of Old World Leishmania species.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniases (CL), highly endemic in Africa and Mediterranean region, are caused by different Leishmania parasite species. Accurate species identification is crucial for effective diagnosis, treatment, and control of these diseases, but traditionally relies on DNA-based methods. High Resolution Melting analysis PCR (HRM PCR) provides rapid results and precise differentiation based on nucleotide variations.

Rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using a one-step fast multiplex RT-PCR coupled to lateral flow immunoassay.

Background: The COVID-19 has put emphasis on pivotal needs for diagnosis and surveillance worldwide, with the subsequent shortage of diagnostic reagents and kits. Therefore, it has become strategic for the countries to access diagnostics, expand testing capacity, and develop their own diagnostic capabilities and alternative rapid accurate nucleic acid diagnostics that are at lower costs. Here, we propose a visual SARS-CoV-2 detection using a one-step fast multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) amplification coupled to lateral flow immunoassay detection on a PCRD device (Abingdon Health, UK).

Handheld Ultra-Fast Duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays and Lateral Flow Detection and Identification of Parasites for Cutaneous Leishmaniases Diagnosis.

Early and accurate detection of infectious diseases is a key step for surveillance, epidemiology and control, notably timely disease diagnosis, patient management and follow-up. In this study, we aimed to develop handheld ultra-fast duplex PCR assays coupled to amplicon detection by lateral flow (LF) immunoassay to deliver a rapid and simple molecular diagnostic test for concomitant detection and identification of the main parasites encountered in Tunisia. We selected two DNA targets to amplify / and / groups of species DNAs, respectively.

Dipeptidyl peptidase III as a DNA marker to investigate epidemiology and taxonomy of Old World Leishmania species.

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPPIII) member of M49 peptidase family is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase that cleaves dipeptides sequentially from the N-terminus of its substrates. In Leishmania, DPPIII, was reported with other peptidases to play a significant role in parasites' growth and survival. In a previous study, we used a coding sequence annotated as DPPIII to develop and evaluate a PCR assay that is specific to dermotropic Old World (OW) Leishmania species.

Paraechinus aethiopicus (Ehrenberg 1832) and Atelerix algirus (Lereboullet 1842) hedgehogs: Possible reservoirs of endemic leishmaniases in Tunisia.

Rodents and dogs are the confirmed leishmaniases reservoir hosts in Tunisia. Recently, we described hedgehog Leishmania (L.) major and L.

Molecular Characterization of Leishmania Parasites in Giemsa-Stained Slides from Cases of Human Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis, Eastern Algeria.

Background: In Algeria, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is due to Leishmania (L.) infantum, while three cutaneous forms (CL) are caused by Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica and Leishmania infantum. In this study, the use of Giemsa-stained slides was evaluated with two PCR techniques, in Eastern Algeria.