The current study evaluated the standardization of a new methodology for detection of anti-fixed L. (L.) chagasi promastigote antibodies by flow cytometry (AAPF-IgG), as well its applicability and performance in the identification of cases of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL). Two groups of dogs were classified by RIFI (gold standard) as no reactors (NR, n=10) and reactors (R, n=50). Blood samples were collected and used for the laboratorial tests (RIFI and AAPF-IgG). The results showed that the new AAPF-IgG assay makes possible the identification of an area of differential reactivity between dogs NR and R at the dilution of 1:2048 and 20% of percentage of positive fluorescent parasite as the cut point among positive and negative results. The AAPF-IgG assay was able to distinguish 96% of R dogs as positive and 100% of NR dogs as negative. Hence, those data support the applicability of flow cytometry AAPF-IgG method as a new instrument for serological diagnosis of CVL.
canine visceral leishmaniasis; serologic diagnosis; flow cytometry; Leishmania chagasi; Leishmania infantum
