A novel 12.6-kDa protein of Leishmania donovani for the diagnosis of Indian visceral leishmaniasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), rK39 antigen-based rapid test is widely used. Unfortunately, up to 32% healthy individuals from endemic region test positive with this antigen. There is an urgent need to search for a more specific antigen with sensitivity similar to rK39.

Methods

We identified a Leishmania donovani-specific 12.6-kDa (BHUP3) soluble promastigote antigen through sensitive western blot technique. The identified protein was partially purified from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the antigenic response of eluted protein was determined by western blot with different groups of individual sera. The diagnostic potential was further validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using serum of 100 VL patients,

SUBMITTER: Kumar D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3186685 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature