ABSTRACT

Visceral leishmaniasis, a fatal tropical disease, remains problematic as early diagnosis is difficult and treatment often results in drug resistance and relapse. In this study, relative levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgG subclasses were analyzed in 29 visceral leishmaniasis patients. Compared to 30 controls, visceral leishmaniasis patients showed a significantly higher IgG response. Among IgG subclasses, IgG1 response was significantly higher in visceral leishmaniasis patients than in the controls. Therefore, monitoring of immunoglobulin isotypes and IgG subclasses in visceral leishmaniasis patients may be a good serologic alternative in monitoring the disease status.

Keywords: Visceral leishmaniasis, immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses