The use of serology as an additional tool to support diagnosis of difficult multibacillary leprosy cases: lessons from clinical care.
Rev Soc Bras Med Trop
; 41 Suppl 2: 27-33, 2008.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19618072
Seven multibacillary leprosy and two suspected cases assisted in different situations during clinical care activities at the university in Rio de Janeiro city are described. All cases presented some difficulties for diagnosis, since they evolved with few or no cardinal signs or symptoms of leprosy. A serological test used as an auxiliary tool was helpful in the diagnosis or exclusion procedure of each case, facilitating academic discussions at the time of case examination. Considering serology and bacilloscopy (skin smear) as the only rapid and relatively cheap available tests for confirmation of atypical MB leprosy, the advantages and disadvantages of their use were discussed. Both tests support the diagnostic procedure and the classification of cases for treatment purposes. The advantage of bacilloscopy is its capacity for diagnosis confirmation. The advantages of serology are: (a) its applicability for direct use by health workers, providing immediate results; (b) the potential for patient participation in the process; and (c) it provides a learning opportunity, allowing for improved teaching of leprosy pathogenesis.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Glicolipídeos
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Hanseníase Dimorfa
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Hanseníase Virchowiana
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Anticorpos Antibacterianos
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Mycobacterium leprae
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Antígenos de Bactérias
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Child
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Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Rev Soc Bras Med Trop
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil
País de publicação:
Brasil