Leishmaniasis Patients Research Articles

Visceral leishmaniasis in a patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report

Introduction. There is a rise of visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompromised patients due to increased availability of immunomodulatory drugs. In order to point at the occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we reported a case of female patient with a travel history to European Mediterranean countries, who was on immunosuppressive treatment due to ulcerative colitis. Case report. A 29-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital due to severe relapse of ulcerative colitis. Corticosteroid therapy was administered in addition to previous longterm azathioprine, with clinical response to the treatment. During the course of the disease she had recurrent high-grade fever with marked hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was established by positive serology tests and microscopic finding of amastigotes in bone marrow smears. The disseminated infection was responsive to treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, but therapy had to be discontinued due to urticarial rush. Subsequent therapy with antimony was administered, but it had to be stopped too due to liver toxicity. No further treatment for leishmaniasis was initiated as the clinical and laboratory data suggested that the patient had responded to the treatment. She was discharged from hospital in IBD remission and without signs of the infection. Conclusion. Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered in IBD patients with fever of unknown origin and relevant travel history in order to achieve favorable disease outcome.

A comprehensive systematic review of leishmaniasis in patients undergoing drug-induced immunosuppression for the treatment of dermatological, rheumatological and gastroenterological diseases.

ABSTRACTImmunosuppression is an important risk factor for leishmaniasis. We assessed the clinical profile, geographic distribution and prevalence of leishmaniasis in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for dermatological, rheumatological or gastroenterological autoimmune diseases. We identified relevant studies in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS on July 3rd, 2018. We included articles that reported at least one case of leishmaniasis in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment for dermatological, rheumatological or gastroenterological diseases. Our protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018103050). We assessed the quality of the included studies with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. After the removal of duplicates, 5,431 articles were collected and screened. We included 138 articles; the prevalence of leishmaniasis in six methodologically similar studies varied from three to 1,282 cases per 100,000 patients using anti-TNFα drugs, but the results were significantly heterogeneous . Leishmaniasis in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs is a health problem mostly reported in European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea; sporadic activities, such as travelling, seem not to be associated with a significant risk of leishmaniasis, although effective control measures must always be observed.

Trypanothione Reductase Gene Mutations in Meglumine Antimoniate Resistant Isolates from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Using Molecular Dynamics Method.

Background:In this study, mutations in the tripanothion reductase of Leishmania tropica isolated from Iran was investigated using sequencing and simulation of the enzyme by the molecular dynamic method.Methods:Fifteen susceptible and 15 clinical resistant L. tropica specimens were collected from skin lesions from different regions of Iran in 2017. After DNA extraction, trypanothione reductase (TRYR or TPR), gene fragment was amplified using PCR and sequencing methods. In the case of structural mutations, the components were simulated by molecular dynamics using the GROMACS software.Results:Some structural mutations were observed in 9 amino acids surrounding the active site of the TRYR gene of L. tropica with three-dimensional trypanothione reductase alteration.Conclusion:Change in the active site of TRYR of L. tropica, could probably contribute to the development of resistant L. tropica to glucantime. Because of the likely occurrence of mutations in glucantime as well as the ease of development of L. tropica resistant populations, more samples are needed to demonstrate the relationship between mutations in this enzyme and clinical resistance to glucantime. On the other hand, it is recommended that enzymatic studies be performed to confirm the role of mutation in the function and expression of trypanothione reductase in glucantime resistant and susceptible populations.

Estimation of Interferon Gamma and Zinc Concentration in Serum of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients in Tikrit City

Background: Interferon-gamma is one of the important cytokines, that has a role in the immune system of the body. Also zinc has optimal activity on the immune system and is involved in cell and tissue growth. The aim of this study is to evaluate IFN-γ and Zn concentration in the serum of CL patients and compare to control groups. Patients and Method: A total of 96 persons were included in this study, during the period from January/2018 to the end of June/2018 in the outpatients of Dermatology Department of Tikrit Teaching Hospital. Forty eight patients with CL were included in this study, 43.75% were males and 56.25% were females. Assessment of zinc concentration by using spectrophotometer, so interferon gamma by ELISA. Results: There was low serum zinc in CL patients comparing to control, since mean zinc concentration in patients was 9.6 μmol/I and in control was 11.4 μmol/l. Also this study revealed that there was decrease serum zinc in CL patients in contrast to control groups aged >15 years old, since mean zinc concentration in patients was 9.7 μmol/l while in control was 10.9 μmol/l. Mean zinc concentration in male patients and control were (10.0 and 11.6) μmol/l respectively. Mean zinc concentration in female patients (9.4) μmol/l while in female control is higher (10.8) μmol/l. mean serum interferon gamma is significant increase in serum patients (P<0.01) than control groups aged < 15 old. Since mean of IFN-γ was 0.8 IU/ml in patients and 0.5 IU/ml in control. Also serum IFN-γ in patients and control groups (aged > 15 years old) were (1.0 and 0.6) IU/ml respectively. In addition to that it was found that there is significant increase in IFN-γ concentration (P <0.01) in male patients which was (1.1) IU/ml in comparison with the male control which was (0.6) IU/ml. Also the same thing is noticed in females. Mean IFN-γ in female patients and control were (0.7 l and 0.5) IU/ml Respectively.

Host Transcriptomic Signature as Alternative Test-of-Cure in Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients Coinfected with HIV

Host Transcriptomic Signature as Alternative Test-of-Cure in Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients Coinfected with HIV

Leishmania donovani infection in Eastern Sudan: Comparing direct agglutination and rK39 rapid test for diagnosis-a retrospective study

Objective: To compare diagnostic accuracy and agreement between direct agglutination test and rK39 rapid tests for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area, the Doka area in Eastern Sudan. Methods: Stored sera of confirmed visceral leishmaniasis cases, unconfirmed visceral leishmaniasis-suspects and negative controls were tested by direct agglutination test and rK39 rapid test. The sera were collected from the Doka area in Eastern Sudan. Diagnostic accuracy of direct agglutination test and rK39 rapid test was assessed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, estimated at 95% confidence interval (CI). Agreement between the two tests was determined by the kappa (κ) value. Results: Taking lymph node aspiration of Leishmania as a gold standard, direct agglutination test showed 91.0% sensitivity, 99.3% specificity, resulting in a positive and negative predictive value of 99.3% and 91.0%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity of rK39 rapid test was 85.2% and specificity 98.6%, resulting in a positive and negative predictive value of 98.5% and 85.9%, respectively. Most (81.3%) of the confirmed visceral leishmaniasis sera revealed strong antibody titers (≥1:6 400). Some sera (n=5) that were positively tested with rK39 rapid test were negative in direct agglutination test (≤1:800); in contrast, direct agglutination test was positive in 12 confirmed visceral leishmaniasis sera that were negatively tested with rK39 rapid test. There was moderate to good agreement between direct agglutination test and rK39 rapid test for confirmed visceral leishmaniasis patients (κ=0.42, 95% CI=0.21-0.63) and control sera (κ=0.80, 95% CI=0.41-1.00). Conclusions: Both direct agglutination test and rK39 rapid test are satisfactory test systems for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis in East Sudan. Their simplicity makes them ideal for first healthcare in rural areas. These data are relevant also for other East African endemic countries because of the geographical and overlapping distribution of the Leishmania parasite.

DNA-based detection of Leishmania and Crithidia species isolated from humans in cutaneous and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis from Shiraz and Kharameh, southern Iran.

Leishmania major and L. tropica are the main pathogens of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in several rural and some urban regions of Iran, respectively. The aim of this study was to detect Leishmania species, and update the distribution data of these species in humans suspected to CL in two endemic foci in southern Iran. From March 2016 to March 2017, 276 positive samples from of 350 suspected cases were diagnosed and compared by different diagnostic methods, viz. microscopy, culture, and PCR. In PCR assay, four different gene identifications were performed including minicircle kDNA, and cysteine protease B genes for Leishmania detection, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and internal transcribed spacer 1 genes for Crithidia detection. In total, 68% (235/350) and 65.3% (177/271) of patients suspected of leishmaniasis were positive by microscopy and cultivation methods. In PCR assay, L. major, and L. tropica were detected in 86.2% (238/276), and 13.1% (36/276) of CL cases, respectively. Also, dermal L. infantum strain was isolated from 0.7% (2/276) of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis patients. In addition, Crithidia fasciculata was detected in two CL patients chronically infected with L. major. It appears that the epidemiology of CL has changed during the last decades and can complicate the control strategy aspects of CL in southern Iran. Therefore, more epidemiological, ecological, and gene polymorphism studies are needed to understand the pathogenic role of these species in human, as a main host of leishmaniasis in Iran.

Gender differences in the severity and features of lesions among Cutaneous Leishmaniasis patients

Objective: To determine if there is any differences in the severity and features of lesions among patients complaining of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic region . Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was performed ( January 2014 to June 2019 ) in the dermatology clinics of : Rizgary Hospital , Hawler teaching center for Skin Diseases, Shadi Health Center, Hawler Institute of Health Prevention. All the patients were referred from both rural districts of Makhmur and Kalack. The provisional diagnosis was dependent mainly on clinical examination in addition to Giemsa stain. Parasite (amastigote) grading and distribution of number, site, type and size of lesions according to the gender of patients were studied . Results: A total of 1264 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were diagnosed during the study period . According to stain results, 70.6% of the cases were positive to Giemsa stain. Parasite grading and parasite number /field were higher significantly in males . Features of case severity according to the characters of the lesions (number, size, site, type) were more noted in males than females. Conclusions: Male patients are more prone to more severe infections than females.

Gender differences in the severity and features of lesions among Cutaneous Leishmaniasis patients

Gender differences in the severity and features of lesions among Cutaneous Leishmaniasis patients

Genomes of Leishmania parasites directly sequenced from patients with visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly used for molecular diagnosis and epidemiology of infectious diseases. Current Leishmania genomic studies rely on DNA extracted from cultured parasites, which might introduce sampling and biological biases into the subsequent analyses. Up to now, direct analysis of Leishmania genome in clinical samples is hampered by high levels of human DNA and large variation in parasite load in clinical samples. Here, we present a method, based on target enrichment of Leishmania donovani DNA with Agilent SureSelect technology, that allows the analysis of Leishmania genomes directly in clinical samples. We validated our protocol with a set of artificially mixed samples, followed by the analysis of 63 clinical samples (bone marrow or spleen aspirates) from visceral leishmaniasis patients in Nepal. We were able to identify genotypes using a set of diagnostic SNPs in almost all of these samples (97%) and access comprehensive genome-wide information in most (83%). This allowed us to perform phylogenomic analysis, assess chromosome copy number and identify large copy number variants (CNVs). Pairwise comparisons between the parasite genomes in clinical samples and derived in vitro cultured promastigotes showed a lower aneuploidy in amastigotes as well as genomic differences, suggesting polyclonal infections in patients. Altogether our results underline the need for sequencing parasite genomes directly in the host samples

Socio-Demographic profile of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis patients in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is known to Sri Lanka from 1992. The distribution of the disease is increasing and large numbers of CL cases are reported from Hambantota district. This study was focused on selected clinical features and socio-demographic factors of CL positive patients in Hambantota district and this information were collected using a questionnaire from CL suspected patients who attended to the Tangalle Hospital from June, 2016 to January, 2017. For selecting the CL positivity, slit skin smears were obtained from lesions of suspected patients. These smears were stained and examined for Leishmania amastigotes. Smears were positive in 183 patients. Majority of them had one lesion on the body and 117 patients were males (p 50 years. House-wives and students were identified as highly affected occupants. The higher number of CL patients lived in rural areas (p<0.001). Most of the CL patients lived in houses with cemented floors and walls with tiled -roofs meanwhile 117 houses had cracks, either in floors or walls. Further, 95.5% of patients were unaware of sand-fly biting. These findings highlight the socio-demographic profile of the CL patients in Hambantota district which will be important for the disease management strategies.

Risk factors for in-hospital mortality from visceral leishmaniasis: A case-control study

BackgroundThe timely identification of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients with a higher risk of death is essential for meeting the target of reducing case-fatality rates in the Americas. This study aimed to identify factors associated with death from VL in the State of Piaui, Brazil. MethodsCase-control study evaluating the following putative risk factors for death from VL: gender and age of the patient, local of residence, signs, and symptoms, laboratory data, comorbidities and days of evolution of the disease. The associations between risk factors and death were expressed as odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals. ResultsIn the period analyzed a total of 2525 VL patients were admitted to the hospital, corresponding to 9,3% of all VL admissions in Brazil. Among them, 177 patients died (case-fatality rate of 7.0%). In the multivariate analysis the following variables showed a statistically significant association with death: ≥60 years, vomiting, edema, diarrhea, platelets<50.000/mm³, jaundice, splenomegaly, and pneumonia. ConclusionsThe identified factors associated to death from VL can be easily assessed at the time of or up to 48h after admission and may be used to inform clinical decisions, improving the clinical and laboratory monitoring of patients.

Effect of Antimonial Therapy on Levels of (TNF-α and IL-1β;) Cytokines in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients in Iraq

Effect of Antimonial Therapy on Levels of (TNF-α and IL-1β;) Cytokines in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients in Iraq

1662. Pushing the Dose: Miltefosine Treatment for a Supersized American with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

BackgroundMiltefosine (Profounda, FL) is an oral alkylphospholipid drug which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of some species of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis. The maximal daily recommended dosage is 50 mg t.i.d for 28 days; yet there is some evidence that doses <2.5 mg/kg/day may be associated with lesser efficacy. We treated a healthy 30-year-old, 117 kg, 78 inches (low body fat) male with cutaneous Leishmania tropica infection with miltefosine after multiple unsuccessful treatment regimens. This presentation will provide the background considerations and the outcome of our approach of using higher daily dosages of miltefosine.MethodsWe used a miltefosine dose escalation of 50 mg t.i.d (1.28 mg/kg/day) for days 1–5 with fatty food, increasing to 50 mg. q.i.d. (1.71 mg/kg/day) for days 6–15. For days 16–28, the patient received 250 mg daily (2.13 mg/kg/day). Weekly blood testing was done for complete blood count, metabolic panel, and miltefosine pharmacokinetics. Plasma concentrations were assayed using a validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry methodology.ResultsThe patient experienced a good clinical result with his two ulcerative lesions on the left leg healing with full epithelialization by day 28. He tolerated miltefosine well until he escalated to 250 mg daily when he noted 2 hours of fatigue and dizziness after the dose, nausea and after the fourth day he developed epididymitis. His serum creatinine was elevated (1.4 mg/dL). The epididymitis resolved after approximately a week, his other symptoms resolved soon after completing the day 28 dose. Serial miltefosine plasma levels accumulated during treatment to 30, 34, 44, and 53 μg/mL on days 7, 14, 21, and 27 after the start of treatment (dropping to 27 μg/mL 8 days post), with an apparent distribution half-life of 7 days.ConclusionMiltefosine yielded healing of recalcitrant L. tropica infection but was associated with adverse effects at the 250 mg daily dose that severely limited the activity of the patient for the final 8 days of therapy; however, they were not dose-limiting. Miltefosine accumulation appeared to be dose-proportional compared with reported concentrations with a median 1.8 mg/kg/day dose in Dutch cutaneous leishmaniasis patients (median weight 85 kg).Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

ECG Changes in Patients of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) Receiving Sodium Stibogluconate Therapy

Kala-Azar is a devastating parasitic disease caused by Leishmania donovani, increasing in our country and turning into serious public health problem in Bangladesh due to multiple problems. The standard drug for treatment of Kala- Azar is still Sodium Stibogluconate (SAG) in our country due to high cost of liposomal Amphotericin B. The aim of this study is to see the cardiac complication and electrographic alterations during SAG therapy in standard dose. One hundred and twenty five patients (62.4% male and 37.6% female) were included in this study. All had normal ECG prior to therapy. Various electrographic alterations were noted in 31 (24.8%) of the cases after starting antimony therapy. Most common changes seen in our study were T wave inversion (24.4%), reduced amplitude of T wave (7.3%) and ventricular ectopic (8%). These changes were observed during 2nd to 3rd weeks of therapy and disappeared within two weeks of stoppage of further antimony therapy. Alteration in ECG might be the prior evidence of cardiotoxicity and might explain sudden deaths encountered during antimony in Kala-Azar. Close clinical observations and ECG monitoring of the patients receiving antimony therapy for Kala-Azar is essential for early detection of cardiotoxicity and thereby to prevent further complications including sudden death Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2018;13(2): 70-73

Genotyping of Causative Agents of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Patients Using PCR-RFLP Method in Dasht-e-Azadegan County, Southwest of Iran, in 2016

Background: As a neglected disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis renders considerable incidence rates. Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Iran are endemic for this infection. Objectives: Herein, we determined the species/strains of the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Dasht-e-Azadegan, Khuzestan, Iran, using PCR-RFLP in 2016. Methods: We microscopically examined 80 smear slides from suspected patients referring to health centers of the city. After DNA extraction from slide materials, the amplification of the ITS1 fragment was done using the LITSR and L5.8S primer pair for Leishmania molecular detection. Subsequently, HaeIII (species level), TaqI (strain level), DpnI, and HpaII (mutation analysis) digestion was exerted based on the RFLP method. Results: Microscopic examination revealed the amastigote forms of Leishmania in all 80 samples. A 350 bp band was amplified by ITS1-PCR, which confirmed the infection at the molecular level. Following HaeIII digestion, 150 and 200 bp fragments were produced indicating Leishmania major. Also, TaqI digestion rendered 130 and 200 bp bands suggesting the A1 strain. Moreover, no mutations were detected in the genome of the identified L. major A1 strains by DpnI (140 and 200 bp bands) and HpaII (no digestion) digestion. Conclusions: The genotypic heterogeneity of Leishmania species is of utmost importance for better treatment choices, appropriate diagnosis, and preventive measures. Future work in the area should address the parasite strains in alternative vector/reservoir hosts.

Counting of Total and Differential White Blood Cells in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients in Nassiryha city Thi-qar Province

The present study was carried out on 50 cutaneous Leishmaniasis patients , without taken treatments and they were having sore skin infection diagnosed by dermatologist as Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and clinical diagnosis and 25 control groups , attended five main hospitals in Thi-Qar province ,there are Imam Hussein Teaching Hospital , Shattra general hospital, Rifya general hospital , Suq Al-Shayokh general hospital and Al-Chibayish general hospital, during the period from the beginning of January 2017 to end in June in the same year. The statistical analysis were P≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. There was significant decrease at p≤ 0.05 in mean of total WBCs in CL patients(6.36) compared to (controls groups) (7.80), also there was significant differences in mean of basophiles, monocytes , in CL patients(0.75 and 5.65) compared to (controls groups) (1.18 and 6.92) and there was increase and no significant differences were observed in mean of eosinophil’s in CL patients compared to (controls groups)( 2.31and 2.08) .There was significant were observed increase in mean of neutrophils and lymphocytes in CL patients (65.92 and 32.53)compared to controls groups (58.27 and 25.08).

Immunodiagnostic of leprosy exploiting a photoelectrochemical platform based on a recombinant peptide mimetic of a Mycobacterium leprae antigen

The first serum diagnosis of leprosy based on the detection of antibodies of patients using a recombinant mimetic peptide (PGL1M3R) as recognition element and exploiting a photoelectrochemical sensor is presented in this work. The photoeletrochemical platform consists of cadmium sulphide and nickel hydroxide electrodeposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass slide (CdS/Ni(OH)2/FTO). The optical band gap and flat band potential of the photoelectroactive materials were evaluated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The spatial photoelectrochemical response of the platform was evaluated by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and the morphology of the films was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The photoelectrochemical response of the CdS/Ni(OH)2/FTO platform was optimized by evaluating the effects of the kind, concentration, and pH of the buffer. Furthermore, the applied potential to the CdS/Ni(OH)2/FTO platform was also investigated. The CdS/Ni(OH)2/FTO photoelectrochemical platform was modified with a synthetic peptide by using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking reagent and chitosan (CS) for the covalent coupling of the peptide to the photoelectrochemical platform (PGL1M3R/CdS/Ni(OH)2/FTO). The photoelectrochemical immunosensor is able to distinguishing between positive and negative leprosy human sera samples diluted from 1:640 up to 1:10240. Furthermore, to test the specificity of the sensor, samples from tuberculosis and leishmaniasis patients were analyzed using the proposed photoelectrochemical immunosensor.

Comparison of Nested-PCR and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Diagnosis

Background: Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease caused by Leishmania genus and its most common form is cutaneous leishmaniasis. The number of reported cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Khuzestan, southwest Iran, continues to increase. Therefore, early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for successful therapy. Objectives: The Nested PCR is a molecular method with high sensitivity and specificity in detecting leishmaniasis, but this method requires advanced equipment and skilled labor. Therefore, developing a simple yet accurate technique to diagnose leishmaniasis is essential. This study was designed to evaluate the possibility of replacing Nested PCR with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods: We obtained 75 clinical samples from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients whose infection had already been confirmed by microscopic examination. The LAMP assay with pre-added malachite green was performed using a set of four primers targeting conserved sequences of the18S ribosomal RNA gene. The nested PCR method was performed using specific kinetoplast minicircle DNA primers. Cultured promastigotes of Leishmania major (MHOM /IR/75/ER), L. tropica (MHOM/IR/02/Mash10), and the virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii were used as controls. Results: Our results showed that LAMP was positive for 100% of microscopically positive samples, which was similar to Nested PCR. The detection of L. major was improved at 104 parasites/ml using the LAMP method. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that considering the simplicity, specificity, and sensitivity of LAMP, it would be a potentially useful method in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis and detection of its various strains/species. This cost and time-effective method can be used as a suitable alternative for surveillance of leishmaniasis, as well as in epidemiological studies.

Immunodiagnosis of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis using recombinant Leishmania infantum Prohibitin protein and a synthetic peptide containing its conformational B-cell epitope

In the present study, Leishmania infantum's Prohibitin was cloned and, alongside a synthetic peptide, evaluated for the serodiagnosis of visceral and tegumentary leishmaniasis (CVL and TL, respectively) in dogs and humans. For TL diagnosis, this study analyzed serum samples from cutaneous (n = 20) or mucosal (n = 39) leishmaniasis patients, and from Chagas disease (CD) patients (n = 8) and non-infected patients (n = 45). For CVL diagnosis, serum samples from asymptomatic (n = 14), symptomatic (n = 71), non-infected (n = 116), and Leish-Tec®-vaccinated (n = 79) dogs were examined, as well as T. cruzi (n = 11) and Ehrlichia canis (n = 10) infected animals. An indirect ELISA method using rProhibitin showed diagnostic sensitivity and specificity values of 91.76% and 89.91%, respectively. L. infantum SLA showed 86.11% and 48.24% of specificity and sensitivity, respectively, for CVL serodiagnosis, and 98.31% and 84.91% sensitivity and specificity, respectively for TL diagnosis. L. braziliensis SLA showed 75.47% and 83.05% of specificity and sensitivity, respectively, for TL diagnosis. The synthetic peptide showed a better result in TL than in CVL diagnosis. In conclusion, preliminary results suggest that the detection of antibodies against the rProhibitin protein and the synthetic peptide improves the serodiagnosis of TL and CVL.