LD Bodies From Blood Buffy Coat: an Easy Approach for Definitive Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis

Abstract

This observational study was carried out as a preliminary one to see the effectiveness and reliability of an easy noninvasive approach for the confirmatory diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) by detection of amastigote forms (LD bodies) of the parasite. Clinically suspected 73 febrile cases were investigated by examination of bone marrow/splenic aspirate to detect LD bodies, of whom 57 (41.61%) showed LD positive result on microscopy and/or culture in modified Novy, Nichole, MacNeal (NNN) medium. Blood buffy coat was obtained by the method of density gradient centrifugation using mono-nuclear cell separation fluid "Lymphoprep" from all the cases confirmed as VL. Thin smears on microscopic slides were prepared from all 57 buffy coats, and stained by Leishman stain to see LD bodies microscopically. Out of 57 buffy coat smears, 53 (92.98%) yielded LD bodies. Findings of the present study has encouraged to carry out a field trial so that this easy approach can be practiced as a clinical diagnostic procedure.Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2007; 01 (02): 43-47