Serological and Molecular Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and Malaria in VL Suspects in Gedarif State, Eastern Sudan

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and malaria are two major health problems in Sudan. Demonstration of parasites in clinical samples remains the mainstay for the diagnosis of VL and malaria; however, parasitological methods are either invasive or insensitive. Thus, diagnosis of both diseases with non-microscopic, simple, rapid, reliable, and accurate methods are needed. Worldwide malaria parasites were detected in VL patients but none of such cases have been reported from Sudan. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the rk39 rapid test (DiaMed- IT LEISH), and PCR on blood spotted on filter paper for the diagnosis of VL in patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of VL, and to diagnose malaria in those cases using OptiMAL-IT and PCR tests. Another aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of malaria in VL confirmed cases