USE OF A LEISHMANIA SKIN-TEST IN THE DETECTION OF CANINE LEISHMANIA-SPECIFIC CELLULAR-IMMUNITY

The leishmanin skin test was used to detect Leishmania-specific cellul ar immunity in asymptomatic dogs from an endemic region of visceral le ishmaniosis. The test was safe since no clinical signs of intolerance to leishmanin were detected during 1 month, in 14 dogs after inoculati ons of 3x10(8) promastigotes/ml. Tn another group of four dogs no cros s reactivity was found after inoculations of a PPD which demonstrated the specificity of the test. In the same group of animals, repeatabili ty was assessed by repeated inoculations of leishmanin at 1-5-month in tervals and the threshold of sensitivity was the concentration of 3x10 (6) promastigotes/ml. Secondly, we applied the test in a dog populatio n that live in an endemic region of visceral leishmaniosis and found a significant increase in Leishmania-infected dogs after the applicatio n of this test in the field. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.