Heat-shock protein 70 PCR-RFLP: a universal simple tool for <i>Leishmania</i> species discrimination in the New and Old World

Abstract

Currently no assay is available for global Leishmania species discrimination. We present a universal PCR-RFLP method allowing identification of most medically relevant Old and New World Leishmania species on the basis of a single PCR, obviating the need to perform separate PCRs. The technique is simple to perform and can be implemented in all settings where PCR is available.