Abstract
The leishmaniases represent a group of chronic diseases with epidemiological diversity and a broad clinical spectrum that affect 350 million people worldwide. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the best tools for controlling the disease. Immunological methods have been widely used as a screening tool for diagnosis. In this work a platform for the selection, production, and validation of antigens for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis was created. 540 peptides were obtained and selected through SPOT-synthesis and immunodetection using serum of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), where 14 antigens were selected. The antigens were valued by immunoassay test (ELISA) and intradermo reaction in experimental model. The best antigen for serological diagnosis of LV was Pep.S.LV57.p.395 with 80% of sensitivity and 92% of specificity. The avidity test demonstrated an improved sensitivity, which was able to differentiate patients with leishmaniasis from those with Chagas disease. For IDR a mix of six peptides were encapsulated in a cationic liposome and valued to observe cellular immunological. The best results, when compared with Montenegro antigen, was the induration on 72 h. This platform showed excellent results to search antigens and can be used for screening and in the diagnosis of neglected or emergent diseases.