title: Comparative evaluation of several methods for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis diagnosis.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serological methods using ELISA with recombinant-rK39 (ELISA-rK-39) and soluble extract-SE (ELISA-SE) antigens, the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in comparison to an immunochromatography rapid diagnostic test (RDT-rK39) and with a direct parasitological exam (PA) for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) diagnosis. The results showed that 89% (60/67) of the dogs were positive for at least one serological diagnostic test. ELISA-SE was the test that detected anti-Leishmania antibodies in the serum of the highest number of dogs (71.6%) followed by ELISA-rK39 (65.7%), IFAT (65.7%) and RDT-rK39 (55.2%). PA detected the lowest numbers (40.3%) of positive dogs. In relation to the total of examined dogs, the Kappa indexes (p ≤ 0.05) showed a good agreement between ELISA-SE and IFAT (88.1%; k = 0.7237), and it was also observed in the comparison of RDT-rK39 with ELISA-SE (83.6%, k= 0.6561), IFAT (83.5%, k= 0.6605) and PA (85.0%, k= 0.7074). A bad agreement was detected in any association of ELISA-rk39 with the other tests in either symptomatic or asymptomatic animals. ELISA as well as RDT using recombinant antigenic protein (rK39) were the methods that detected the lowest prevalence rates (33.3%) of CVL in asymptomatic dogs. In conclusion, only one test does not adequately identify dogs with CVL and it is necessary the association of two or more diagnostic tests. Because of the good agreement indexes of RDT-rK39 when evaluated with ELISA-SE, IFAT and PA it was suggested as a complementary method to be used in association with either ELISA-SE or IFAT, particularly in the symptomatic dogs. Furthermore, new studies are recommended in order to improve the sensitivity of tests mainly for asymptomatic dogs.
authors: Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Estadual Paulista ? UNESP, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brasil.
authors: Diogo Tiago da
authors: DT
authors: Silva
authors: Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Estadual Paulista ? UNESP, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brasil.
authors: Wilma Aparecida
authors: WA
authors: Starke-Buzetti
authors: Departamento de Doenças Tropicais, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual Paulista ? UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors: Maria Fernanda
authors: MF
authors: Alves-Martin
authors: Departamento de Doenças Tropicais, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual Paulista ? UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors: Mirian dos Santos
authors: Mdos S
authors: Paixão
authors: Departamento de Doenças Tropicais, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual Paulista ? UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors: Michely da Silva
authors: Mda S
authors: Tenório
authors: Departamento de Matemática, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Estadual Paulista ? UNESP, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brasil.
authors: Mara Lúcia Martins
authors: ML
authors: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods