[Antibody pattern in patients with different forms of leishmaniasis (author's transl)]

Using the indirect fluorescent antibody test, leishmanial antibodies could be demonstrated in patients with Leishmaniasis. In 18 of 22 cases of kala-azar the titers ranged between 1:160 and 1:1280. In the complement fixation test the titers in patients with kala-azar varied between greater than 1:4 in one case and less than or equal to 1:512 in twelve of the 22 patients. Complement fixing antibodies could not be detected in five of the nine patients with cutaneous or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The indirect haemagglutination test proved to be not suitable for diagnostic purposes because it did not detect antibodies in nine out of 22 cases with kala-azar. The IgG fraction of the serum immunoglobulins was increased in most patients with kala-azar. Sensitivity and specificity of the three immunological methods are discussed with reference to the results in 832 undefined sera submitted for routine diagnosis.