Comparison between direct microscopy, in vitro cultivation and direct agglutination test for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis at Omdurman Pediatric Hospital

Abstract

The preseut stady was carried out to compare the efficiency of direct microscopy , in vitro cultivatior and direct agglutination test (DAT) for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) . this stady was carried out in omdurwan pediatric hospital in Khartoum state between March and October 2011 , which included patiens clinically suspected of VL . The number of suspected VL cases was 50 and the following was performed ; - Bone marrow aspirates for direct microscopy and in vitro cultivation . - Serum samples for DAT . The microscopical examination of bone marrow smears revealed the presence of amastigotes In 10 (20%) cases in vitro cultivation of bone marrow aspirates give positive growth of L . donovan promastigotes in 11 (22%) case and negative in 39 (78%) of case and DAT was positive in 20 (40%) of case and negative 30(60%) of the results of DAT obtained were compared to the results of direct mircroscopy and invitro culture of Bone marrow aspirates this was shown that DAT was more sensitive than microscopy and invitro culture .