The fucose-mannose ligand-ELISA in the diagnosis and prognosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Abstract:

The fucose-mannose ligand (FML)–ELISA assay showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% in diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL)(kala-azar) in sera from naturally infected dogs from Sao Gonçalo do Amaranto, Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil. The overall prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania in the endemic area was 23%(79 of 343). Seroreactivity detected by a Leishmania chagasi immunofluorescent (IF) assay was much lower (2.9%) and similar to the percentage of dogs with kala-azar symptoms (2.6%). Twenty-one of 21 asymptomatic, FML-seropositive animals died of kala-azar in a period ranging from 0 to 6 months after diagnosis. The pbkp_redictive value was 100% for the FML-ELISA, 43% for an L. mexicana ELISA, and 24% for the L. mexicana and L. chagasi IF assays, respectively. In experimentally infected dogs, all assays detected seropositivity between 90 and 120 days after infection. Since the current strategy for control of CVL is based on detection and destruction of infected dogs, the highly pbkp_redictive, sensitive, and specific FML-ELISA represents a useful tool for field control of the disease. Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) is one of the most important emerging diseases. 1 Its etiologic agent,(Leishmania chagasi or L. infantum) is introduced into the domestic cycle when infected foxes visit houses to scavenge poultry. Peridomestic sand flies acquire the parasite by feeding on the skin of foxes and transmitting it to dogs. The subsequent transmission to humans causes human visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), a severe disease that is lethal if not treated soon after the onset of symptoms. About 500,000 human …

Año de publicación:

1999

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