The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis is difficult. Due to the limitations of direct methods to detect parasites, indirect immunological methods are widely employed. The simple affordable and sensitive/specific direct agglutination test (DAT) is perhaps the most important diagnostic tool under field conditions. A significant improvement of this test is the use of a freeze-dried antigen, which is heat-stable and has a long shelf-live even under harsh conditions. The performance of this antigen in DAT has been evaluated using samples collected in East Africa. The results of these studies are presented. The detection of Leishmania infection in HIV-co-infected patients is difficult. The combination of DAT-PCR may be useful for the detection of parasite infection in these patients. Finally, we present data to show that the DAT based on the freeze-dried antigen can also be used for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in dogs.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004300100083 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Co-infections of rickettsiales in clinically healthy, Leishmania infantum seropositive and seronegative dogs: a systematic literature review and new findings from Southern Italy.
Parasitol Res
January 2025
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a widespread vector-borne disease. In Italy, an endemic region for CanL, overlapping transmission of L. infantum and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) like Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis is increasingly reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPerformance of Extracellular Vesicles From () for Serological Diagnosis of Human and Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis.
J Parasitol Res
January 2025
Parasitology and Mycology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease in which dogs are the main reservoirs. Until now, the serological tests do not present satisfactory sensitivity for diagnosis of these hosts. One of the functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is related to immunological host response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTGF-beta plays dual roles in immunity and pathogenesis in leishmaniasis.
Cytokine
January 2025
Department of Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Tripura University, Agartala, India. Electronic address:
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), displaying a dual role in immunosuppression and pathogenesis, has emerged as a key regulator of anti-leishmanial immune responses. In Leishmania infections, TGF-β drives immune deviation by enhancing regulatory T-cell (T-reg) differentiation and inhibiting macrophage activation, suppressing critical antiparasitic responses. This cytokine simultaneously promotes fibroblast proliferation, extracellular matrix production, and fibrosis in infected tissues, which aids in wound healing but impedes immune cell infiltration, particularly in visceral leishmaniasis, where splenic disorganization and compromised immune access are notable.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe circulating plasma microRNA signature in human visceral leishmaniasis.
mSphere
January 2025
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan in India. VL can be complicated by post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a macular or nodular rash that develops in 10%-20% of patients after treatment of VL in India. Patients with PKDL are infectious to sand flies, promoting further transmission of the parasite.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!