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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 2005, p. 5515-5519, Vol. 43, No. 11
0095-1137/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.43.11.5515-5519.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Evaluation of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays, an Immunofluorescent-Antibody Test, and Two Rapid Tests (Immunochromatographic-Dipstick and Gel Tests) for Serological Diagnosis of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Leishmania Infections in Dogs

Maik Mettler,1 Felix Grimm,1 Gioia Capelli,2 Heinrich Camp,3 and Peter Deplazes1*

Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padua, Italy,2 Veterinary Clinic "Am Forstgarten," Kleve, Germany3

Received 4 May 2005/ Returned for modification 11 June 2005/ Accepted 13 August 2005

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on soluble antigens derived from promastigote or amastigote-like stages of Leishmania infantum and on the recombinant rK39 antigen, each in combination with different conjugates [anti-immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1], anti-IgG2, anti-IgG({gamma}), and anti-IgG heavy plus light chains], were compared to an immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) and two commercially available rapid test systems (DiaMed-Vet-IT Leish and ID-PaGIA canine leishmaniasis antibody test) for the detection of specific anti-Leishmania antibodies in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs with proven L. infantum infections. ELISAs based on soluble promastigote and amastigote antigens had very high sensitivities in symptomatic (n = 30; 100%) and asymptomatic dogs (n = 17; 94.1 to 100%), except when combined with the anti-IgG1 conjugate (41.2 to 82.4%). Specificities were high for all combinations (n = 50; 96 to 100%). The rK39 ELISA detected fewer asymptomatic cases (sensitivities, 52.9 to 64.7%) but was highly specific (96 to 100%). The IFAT was 90% sensitive in symptomatic dogs but was significantly less sensitive in asymptomatic cases (29.4%). However, it had an excellent specificity (100%). Test performances of the rapid tests based on the rK39 antigen were comparable to the ELISAs based on the same antigen. ELISAs based on soluble promastigote or amastigote antigens seem to be most suited for the serological diagnosis of canine Leishmania infections in both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. IFAT and the rK39 ELISA lack sensitivity in asymptomatic cases but are highly specific. Rapid tests like the rK39 dipstick test or the ID-PaGIA are helpful for confirming clinically suspected cases because of their high specificities in symptomatic animals.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr 266a, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Phone: 41 44 635 8502. Fax: 41 44 635 8907. E-mail: deplazesp{at}access.unizh.ch.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 2005, p. 5515-5519, Vol. 43, No. 11
0095-1137/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.43.11.5515-5519.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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