Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis can cause substantial morbidity and is usually diagnosed by leishmania staining/PCR of skin biopsy samples/aspirate smears.
Visceral leishmaniasis can be life threatening and is usually diagnosed again by specialised staining and Microscopy, culture methods or PCR.
Serological tests may also be useful in cases of suspected Visceral Leishmaniasis in patients who do not have HIV infection. In suspected Visceral leishmaniasis in patients who are HIV positive sera is often non-reactive and in cutaneous leishmaniasis serology is of little value.
Specimen container paediatric:
Clotted blood
Specimen container adult:
Clotted blood – Gold SST
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 ml
Minimum volume adult:
5 ml
Special requirements:
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C.
Sample stability:
Stable for up to 24 hours
Transport requirements:
Standard
Add on test:
N/A
Quality assurance:
Sample referred to Reference Laboratory
Interpretation:
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
Reference ranges:
None available
Factors affecting result:
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
Referenced Documents:
Refer to Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine website for advice regarding testing. https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/blood-parasites/blood-parasites-leishmania
Other info:
Referred to Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine