Serological survey of Leishmania infection in dogs from the municipality of Peso da Régua (Alto Douro, Portugal) using the direct agglutination test (DAT) and fast agglutination screening test (FAST).

Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is a prevalent disease in dogs and humans. A serological survey of Leishmania infection in dogs was carried out in the endemic region of Alto Douro (north Portugal). Two hundred and ninety-four dogs from the municipality of Peso da Régua were examined for clinical signs of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), and sera samples were evaluated by the direct agglutination test (DAT) and the fast agglutination screening test (FAST).

Development of a dipstick assay for detection of Leishmania-specific canine antibodies.

A dipstick assay, based on Leishmania infantum antigen, for the rapid detection of Leishmania-specific antibodies in canine serum samples was developed and evaluated. After determination of optimal dipstick test conditions, test performance was compared with two existing serological tests, i.e.

Value of diagnostic techniques for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Background: Traditional diagnostic tests, ie, smear, culture, and histopathology of a skin biopsy specimen, are not always conclusive in patients with a clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

Objective: Our purpose was to find out if a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for Leishmania organisms might be more sensitive than the traditional diagnostic techniques, thereby decreasing the number of false-negative diagnoses.

Methods: In a prospective study, smear, culture, and histopathology of skin biopsy specimens from 46 patients with a possible diagnosis of CL were compared with PCR specific for Leishmania.