ABSTRACT

This study examines Western Blotting (WB), which depends on the detection of the specific antibodies against the immunodominant antigens, with respect to its proficiency in the serodiagnosis and follow-up of patients with leishmaniasis in Turkey, in comparison to other serologic tests. A total of 56 patients, of whom 37 possibly had visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and whose bone marrow aspirates were available and nine with cutaneous leishmaniasis were studied using WB, ELISA and IFA. In order to determine the presence of cross-reactions, five patients with malaria and five with toxoplasmosis were also studied. WB was performed in sera diluted to 1/100, using antigens derived from two different L. infantum species. By using a combination of WB, ELISA and IFA, anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected in the sera of the thirty patients with VL. A number of bands with molecular weights varying from 14 kDa to 94 kDa were detected. In the present study, it appears that L. infantum specific antigens were recognized with 100% specificity and, with special reference to molecular weights, sensitivity varied between 15% for 14 kDa and 100% for 94 kDa antigens. There was no correlation between the number and intensity of bands in western blot analysis and IFAT and ELISA antibody titers, however, the sensitivity of the western blot analysis with ELISA and IFAT seem to be correlated. We concluded that WB is a reliable test for the diagnosis and follow-up of VL patients in Turkey.

Keywords: Leishmaniasis, visceral, diagnosis, western blot