Seroprevalence of Leishmania infection among asymptomatic renal transplant recipients from southern Spain.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this article is to assess the seroprevalence of Leishmania infection among asymptomatic renal transplant recipients in a population in the south of Spain.


METHODS
Serum samples were screened for immunoglobulin-G antibodies against Leishmania with an indirect fluorescent antibody test.


RESULTS
Of 625 examined serum samples, 30 (4.8%) samples were positive for Leishmania antibodies. Thirteen samples showed titers of 1:80, 15 samples showed titers of 1:160, and 2 samples showed titers of 1:320. None of the patients with positive serology to Leishmania showed signs or symptoms compatible with leishmaniasis.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Leishmania infection found among asymptomatic renal transplant patients reinforces the need for attention in evaluation of these patients in endemic areas.
Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
E K
EK
Elmahallawy
Service of Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
E
E
Cuadros-Moronta
Service of Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
M C
MC
Liébana-Martos
Service of Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
J M
JM
Rodríguez-Granger
Service of Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
A
A
Sampedro-Martínez
Department of Pharmacology and Neurosciences Institute (CIBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
A
A
Agil
Service of Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
J M
JM
Navarro-Mari
Service of Nephrology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
J
J
Bravo-Soto
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
J
J
Gutierrez-Fernández
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan
leishmaniasis; renal transplant recipient; seroprevalence