[Counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis]

Technique of counter current immunoelectrophoresis (C.I.E.P.) was employed for the diagnosis of V.L. using an antigen grossly extracted (by means of repeated freezing and thawing) from culture of Leishmania. 6 lots of antigen were prepared - in various time - at the same way. Positive results are obtained in V.L. from 83.3 to 94% (according to various lots of antigens). Few false positivity (from 1.4 to 8.8%) are obtained in sera from patients with other diseases (especially) cirrhosis and blood disorders. No positivity in controls (blood donors). The reproducibility of results appear satisfactory. Our results suggested that C.I.E.P., rapid and less sophisticated test, can be applied for the diagnosis of V.L. But false positivity and false negativity limit the value of these test.