ANTIBODY PATTERN IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT FORMS OF LEISHMANIASIS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 240  (3) , 397-402
Abstract
Using the indirect fluorescent antibody test, leishmanial antibodies were demonstrated in patients with leishmaniasis. In 18 of 22 cases of kala-azar the titers ranged between 1:160 and 1:1280. In the complement fixation test the titers in patients with kala-azar varied between < 1:4 in 1 case and .gtoreq. 1:512 in 12 of the 22 patients. Complement fixing antibodies were not detected in 5 of the 9 patients with cutaneous or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The indirect hemagglutination test was not suitable for diagnostic purposes because it did not detect antibodies in 9 of 22 cases with kala-azar. The Ig[immunoglobulin]G fraction of the serum Ig was increased in most patients with kala-azar. Sensitivity and specificity of the 3 immunological methods were discussed with reference to the result in 832 undefined sera submitted for routine diagnosis.