Leishmania major: a very sensitive dot-blot ELISA for detection of parasites in cutaneous lesions.
There is a need for accurate, rapid and early diagnosis of leishmaniasis, which would distinguish between the benign and severe forms of the disease. We have used a monoclonal antibody directed to a polymorphic, species-specific antigen in diagnostic assays for leishmaniasis. The dot-blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay described here can detect as few as 300 culture promastigotes and 20,000 amastigotes of Leishmania major with no cross-reaction with other species and no background from skin macrophages or other cells. This level of sensitivity is sufficient to detect parasite antigen aspirated in a few microliters of liquid from small lesions in mice. This assay could form the basis for a sensitive, rapid and inexpensive dip-stick test for large-scale use for the diagnosis and epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia.
E
E
Handman
G F
GF
Mitchell
J W
JW
Goding
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface