Abstract
BackgroundZoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and the domestic dogs are the main urban parasite reservoir hosts. In Brazil, indirect fluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using promastigote extracts are widely used in epidemiological surveys. However, their sensitivity and specificity have often been compromised by the use of complex mixtures of antigens, which reduces their accuracy allowing the maintenance of infected animals that favors transmission to humans. In this context, the use of combinations of defined peptides appears favorable. Therefore, they were tested by combinations of five peptides derived from the previously described Leishmania diagnostic antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39.Methodology/Principal FindingsCombinations of peptides derived A2, NH, LACK and K39 antigens were used in ELISA with sera from 44 human patients and 106 dogs. Improved sensitivities and specificities, close to 100%, were obtained for both sera of patients and dogs. Moreover, high sensitivity and specificity were observed even for canine sera presenting low IFAT anti-Leishmania antibody titers or from asymptomatic animals.Conclusions/SignificanceThe use of combinations of B cell predicted synthetic peptides derived from antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39 may provide an alternative for improved sensitivities and specificities for immunodiagnostic assays of VL.
Highlights
Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is an important emerging parasitic disease found in countries around the Mediterranean basin, in the Middle East, and in Latin America [1,2]
Conclusions/Significance: The use of combinations of B cell predicted synthetic peptides derived from antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39 may provide an alternative for improved sensitivities and specificities for immunodiagnostic assays of VL
Combinations of peptides derived from the previously described Leishmania diagnostic antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39 were used in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against sera from 106 dogs and 44 human patients
Summary
Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is an important emerging parasitic disease found in countries around the Mediterranean basin, in the Middle East, and in Latin America [1,2]. Adopted in European countries, treatment of infected dogs is not allowed in Brazil, based on the assumption that treated dogs may remain as a source of parasites for sand fly infection In this context, sensitive diagnostic tests, applicable to field conditions, are becoming increasingly necessary to facilitate and improve the control of disease [6]. In Brazil, indirect fluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using promastigote extracts are widely used in epidemiological surveys Their sensitivity and specificity have often been compromised by the use of complex mixtures of antigens, which reduces their accuracy allowing the maintenance of infected animals that favors transmission to humans. They were tested by combinations of five peptides derived from the previously described Leishmania diagnostic antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39
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