Evidence for Seroprevalence in Human Localized Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused byLeishmania donovaniin Sri Lanka

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is considered as a major health threat in the Indian subcontinent.Leishmania donovani, a usually visceralizing species, causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sri Lanka. However, visceralizing potential of the localL. donovaniis not yet fully understood. This project studied the seroprevalence of local CL by using an in-house ELISA. An IgG-based ELISA using crudeLeishmaniaantigen (Ag) was developed and validated. A total of 50 laboratory confirmed cases of locally acquired CL were examined using the newly developed ELISA. According to the optimized ELISA, seroprevalence of anti-LeishmaniaIgG antibodies in the study group was 34.0% (n=17/50). Majority of seropositive individuals were males (n=13/17), representing 76%. Nearly half of the seropositive individuals were young adults (20–40 years,n=9/17, 53%). Higher proportions of single lesions, large lesions, and nodular lesions were associated with a seroconversion. A proportion of localL. donovaniinfections leading to CL have the ability to raise an antibody response in the host. This may indicate early systemic involvement as one possibility. Study of a large number of patients with adequate follow-up would be useful.