Immunoblot analysis of sera from Ethiopian cutaneous leishmaniasis by antibody class

We have determined the specificity of the classes of anti-leishmanial antibodies which are detectable in serum from patients with active cutaneous leishmaniasis. On immunoblots, differences exist in the patterns of antigen recognition by IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE antibodies present in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) patient serum. Each class of antibody showed differing patterns of banding to the various molecular species of parasite antigens. There was significant variation in the specificities of the IgG antibody reactivities between individual patients. The patterns of IgM binding were generally homogeneous and restricted to antigens with M(r) greater than 40 kDa. The only class of anti-Leishmania antibodies which showed shared patterns of common antigen recognition by all of the patients studied were IgA antibodies. The reactivities of IgE antibodies encompassed two antigens of M(r) 36 and 46-48 kDa which were not recognized by any of the other isotypes. Such antibody class associated reactivity may be useful in the design of serodiagnostic assays for the detection of Leishmania infection or other infectious agents.