MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES THAT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN NEW WORLD SPECIES OF LEISHMANIA

The ability to distinguish at primary isolation between the species causing cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis would make it possible to concentrate on treating those patients likely to suffer serious disfiguring disease. To develop such a specific diagnostic test, monoclonal antibodies specific for either the L. mexicana or L. braziliensis species were produced. One monoclonal antibody is specific for a subgroup of L. braziliensis; none is cross-reactive with Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain) epimastigotes. These monoclonal antibodies should be useful in the taxonomic identification of different species of New World leishmaniae for the direct diagnosis of leishmaniasis.