Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in all Mediterranean countries including Turkey, and children are at greater risk than adults in endemic areas. In VL patients, serological assays are considered to be sensitive for the diagnosis and/or follow up. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of serology for following up of childhood VL in Turkey. Sera obtained from twenty parasitologically confirmed children with VL were tested using IFAT and ELISA. The patients were monitored clinically and serologically (range: 20-500 days) during and after treatment. All VL patients were treated with meglumine antimonate. Anti-Leishmania antibodies in successfully treated VL patients showed a steep decline but, in three patients who had relapsed, an increase was detected. Significantly lower values were observed after treatment with both serological techniques. Mean ELISA optical density values before and after treatment were: 0.78 ± 0.36 (0.26-1.76) and 0.38 ± 0.24 (0.09-0.83) respectively, (p < 0.001) and mean IFAT values (log10 transformed titers) before and after treatment were: 3.02 ± 0.90 (1.81-4.51) and 2.16 ± 0.75 (1.20-3.90) respectively, (p < 0.001). ELISA and IFAT are valuable not only for diagnosis but also for monitoring of drug therapy in childhood visceral leishmaniasis as rapid and non-invasive techniques.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
