IDENTIFICATION OF LEISHMANIA SPECIES USING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES IN ISFAHAN

Isfahan is one of the major foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. According to the epidemiologic studies, both urban and rural forms have been reported in Isfahan. Accurate identification and characterization of Leishmania is essential for the control of the disease. Several different molecular techniques including the use of monoclonal antibodies have been developed for the identification of the organism. In the present study, specific monoclonal L. major (T1, T9), L. tropica (T10, T11) and L. donovani (D2) antibodies were used to identify and characterize the Leishmania parasites isolated from patients with cutaneous forms in Isfahan. The samples were obtained from the margin of suspected lesions in 298 patients. They were stained with Giemsa and cultured in NNN and RPMI 1640 media supplemented with a 10% fetal calf serum. The promastigotes were then purified, counted and used as antigens in the ELISA test. Mass production of the promastigotes was successful in 120 cases. L. major was identified as the causative agent in 100 cases and L. tropica in 8 patients. The results were inconclusive in 12 cases because the antigens reacted with either 2 or 3 specific monoclonal antibodies. L. major is probably the most common cause of leishmaniasis in Isfahan.