DNA identification of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in human saliva from a patient with American cutaneous leishmaniasis

Corvalan FH (1), Sampaio RNR (2), Brustoloni YM (3), Andreotti R (4), Lima Júnior MSC (5)

(1) Department of Special and Community Dentistry, School of Odontology. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil; (2) Laboratory of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil; (3) Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil; (4) Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBRAPA Beef Cattle, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil; (5) Doctoral Program of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

Abstract: This study aims to report the amplification of the DNA of Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, using polymerase chain reaction, obtained from the saliva of a patient with American cutaneous leishmaniasis who did not present any lesion in the oral mucosa. Amplification produced fragments of 103 bp, an estimated size employing Leishmania (V.) braziliensis primers (b1 e b2). The present results revealed, for the first time, that the in vitro amplification of Leishmania DNA using samples from the salivary fluid of a patient with American cutaneous leishmaniasis is possible. However, more studies are required with a larger number of participants to evaluate the usefulness of saliva as a non-invasive sample for PCR. The development of such non-invasive technique is necessary for the diagnosis of many diseases in the future, especially infectious and parasitic ones.

Key words: cutaneous leishmaniasis, saliva, Leishmania, polymerase chain reaction, non-invasive diagnosis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are indebted to the Foundation to Support the Development of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT).

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: October 10, 2010.

Accepted: December 15, 2010.

Abstract published online: January 25, 2011.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The Foundation to Support the Development of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Research of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, process number 1152/08.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

FÁTIMA HERITIER CORVALAN, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil. Phone: +55 67 33457381. Phone: +55 67 9983 5499. Email: fhcorvalan@yahoo.com.br.