SEROLOGIC DIAGNOSIS OF CANINE LEISHMANIASIS BY DOT-ELISA

A dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using protein A-peroxi dase was evaluated as a diagnostic test for canine leishmaniasis. The test results were in agreement with parasitologic diagnosis and indire ct immunofluorescence assay results. The sensitivity of the test calcu lated on 31 dogs with positive parasitologic examination was 90% when a titer of 1/800 was established as a cutoff and 100% when a titer of 1/400 was established. The specificity calculated on the canine popula tion from nonendemic areas was 100% when both titers were established. Nevertheless, in endemic areas titers near the cutoff need careful in terpretation. The results of this study demonstrate that dot-ELISA pro tein A using a bio-dot apparatus is highly suitable for seroepidemiolo gic field work.