Short report: Improved diagnosis and follow-up of canine leishmaniasis using amastigote-based indirect immunofluorescence

A comparison of an indirect immunofluorescence test using promastigotes (IF ATp) or cultured amastigotes (IFATa) in the diagnosis and follow-up of cani ne leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum was carried out. Results obt ained with both diagnostic methods were in good agreement although the IFAT a titration was more sensitive than the currently used IFATp, without losin g specificity. The higher sensitivity of the amastigote-based IFAT resulted in an earlier diagnosis in the absence of clinical signs. Both methods sho wed comparable results for monitoring the clinical evolution of naturally i nfected and treated (meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol) dogs.