Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serological methods using ELISA with recombinant-rK39 (ELISA-rK-39) and soluble extract-SE (ELISA-SE) antigens, the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in comparison to an immunochromatography rapid diagnostic test (RDT-rK39) and with a direct parasitological exam (PA) for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) diagnosis. The results showed that 89% (60/67) of the dogs were positive for at least one serological diagnostic test. ELISA-SE was the test that detected anti-Leishmania antibodies in the serum of the highest number of dogs (71.6%) followed by ELISA-rK39 (65.7%), IFAT (65.7%) and RDT-rK39 (55.2%). PA detected the lowest numbers (40.3%) of positive dogs. In relation to the total of examined dogs, the Kappa indexes (p ≤ 0.05) showed a good agreement between ELISA-SE and IFAT (88.1%; k = 0.7237), and it was also observed in the comparison of RDT-rK39 with ELISA-SE (83.6%, k= 0.6561), IFAT (83.5%, k= 0.6605) and PA (85.0%, k= 0.7074). A bad agreement was detected in any association of ELISA-rk39 with the other tests in either symptomatic or asymptomatic animals. ELISA as well as RDT using recombinant antigenic protein (rK39) were the methods that detected the lowest prevalence rates (33.3%) of CVL in asymptomatic dogs. In conclusion, only one test does not adequately identify dogs with CVL and it is necessary the association of two or more diagnostic tests. Because of the good agreement indexes of RDT-rK39 when evaluated with ELISA-SE, IFAT and PA it was suggested as a complementary method to be used in association with either ELISA-SE or IFAT, particularly in the symptomatic dogs. Furthermore, new studies are recommended in order to improve the sensitivity of tests mainly for asymptomatic dogs.
Highlights
Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is a disease caused by Kinetoplastida protozoa that belongs to the genus Leishmania (ROSS, 1903)
Enzime-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-soluble extract (SE) was the test that detected anti-Leishmania antibodies in the serum of the highest number of dogs (71.6%) followed by ELISA-Recombinant K39 antigen (rK39) (65.7%), indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (65.7%) and Rapid Test (RDT)-rK39 (55.2%)
Because of the good agreement indexes of RDT-rK39 when evaluated with ELISA-SE, IFAT and parasitological exam (PA) it was suggested as a complementary method to be used in association with either ELISA-SE or IFAT, in the symptomatic dogs
Summary
Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is a disease caused by Kinetoplastida protozoa that belongs to the genus Leishmania (ROSS, 1903). The canine skin is the body system that most commonly presents signs of the CVL, and the presence of Leishmania parasites in dog skin reinforces the important role played by domesticated canid in the L. infantum’s life cycle (QUEIROZ et al, 2010). The sensitivity and the specificity of serological tests depend on the antigen, the protocol used in the laboratory, the time of infection and the serum conversion (COSTA et al, 1991; REITHINGER et al, 2002; FERREIRA et al, 2007); the direct parasitological test is a very specific method, but the sensitivity is low and depends on the biological material and the parasitic burden (GENARO, 1993)
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