The use of nonradioactive DNA probes for the characterization of Leishmania isolates from Peru

We describe conditions for dot blot DNA hybridization studies using biotinylated kDNA probes from Leishmania. The sensitivity and specificity attained with biotinylated or 32P-labeled probes were equivalent. The lower level of detection obtained was 100 parasites that were blotted on nitrocellulose paper and then treated with Proteinase K. Studies were performed with 112 Leishmania isolates from Andean (uta) and sylvatic mucocutaneous (espundia) patients and all were determined to belong to the Leishmania braziliensis complex.