Resumen

FERNANDES, Luisana J et al. Production and characterization of anti dog IgG antibody as a diagnostic probe in canine visceral leishmaniasis. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2008, vol.48, n.2, pp.161-167. ISSN 1690-4648.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Endemic in many countries worldwide, VL represents a serious public health issue and might be fatal if untreated. Infected domestic dogs are the main reservoir of viscerotropic species of Leishmania in the New World and plays an important role as source of infection to humans. Early diagnosis of dog reservoirs are therefore required by demonstrating specific serum antibodies against the parasite with rapid, sensitive and cost-effective test like ELISA, Dot - ELISA, IFI and Multiple Antigen Binding Assay (MABA). Here we produce an anti canine IgG antibody and tested it in those assays by conjugating with reporter proteins. Results demonstrated a higher sensitivity of this antibody conjugated with HRP in MABA and ELISA test, as well as conjugated with FITC on the IFI test, when compare to the commercial peroxidaseconjugated antibody. The use of this conjugate on canine VL diagnosis proved to be useful, highly sensitive and cost effective.

Palabras clave : visceral leishmaniasis; diagnostics; serology.