Resumen

CUBA CUBA, César. Diagnóstico Parasitológico de la Leishmaniasis Tegumentaria Americana. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica, 2000, vol.17, no.1-4, p.39-52. ISSN 1726-4634.

Direct or indirect demonstration of Leishmania in pathological samples still constitutes a critical challenge when it comes to the parasitological diagnosis of this protozoose. In spite of significant and novel advances in the field of molecular biology of Leishmania, many of the techniques with a real potential diagnostic application, still continue to be the tools for laboratory scientific investigation. Few methods are in the stage of clinical and epidemiological application in endemic areas. Being optimistic, very few techniques would be available at public health laboratories in the next decade in developing countries, where these parasites are prevalent. Meanwhile, we will have to continue to rely on the so called classical methods of Basic Protozoology, which under the supervision of experienced professionals will provide a diagnosis for the great majority of the cases. This overview identifies the methods recommended by experts in this field, it also describes the procedures widely recognized by its sensitiveness and reproducibility, and it demonstrates that these methods will continue to be used if they are appropriately performed.

Palabras llave: Leishmaniasis cutaneous/diagnosis; Leishmaniasis mucotaneus/diagnosis; Parasitology/methods.