Acceptance and potential barriers to effective use of diagnostic tests for visceral leishmaniasis in an urban area in Brazil

Introduction: Acceptance of the IT LEISH (R) and direct agglutination test-made in the Laboratorio de Pesquisas Clinicas (DAT-LPC) by healthcare professionals and patients suspected of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Ribeirao das Neves was evaluated. Methods: Ninety-two patients and 47 professionals completed three questionnaires. Results: Eighty-eight (96%) patients considered fingertip blood collection a positive test feature, and 86% (37) and 91% of professionals considered the IT LEISH r easy to perform and interpret, respectively. All professionals classified the DAT-LPC as simple and easy. Conclusions: Patients and healthcare professionals in Ribeirao das Neves demonstrated a high degree of acceptance of the IT LEISH (R) and DAT-LPC.