Application of Specific Monoclonal Antibodies for Characterization of Leishmania spp. Promastigotes Using Indirect Immunofluorescent and Immunoperoxidase Tests

Background: Different methods have been used for characterization of Leishmania promastigotes. Monoclonal antibodies are useful in characterization of   Leishmania spp . both amastogotes and promastigotes. Objective: Comparing the characterization of   Leishmania spp. promastigotes with immunoperoxidase test (Avidin-Biotin) techniques and an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA).   Methods: Application of specific monoclonal antibodies for characterization of different   Leishmania species. Immunoperoxidase tests (Avidin-Biotin) and indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) were employed for characterization of different   Leishmnia promastigotes from culture. Five monoclonal antibodies including LXXVIII-2E5- A8 (D2) specific for   L. donovani:L. infantum , IS2-2B4 (A11) specific for L. tropica, XCIV-H2- AB (T10) specific for   L. tropica, XLVI-5B8- B3 (T1) specific for L. major, and T7 reactive to both   L. major and L. tropica as well as an anti GP63 mAb were used. Results: The best result was obtained with the dilution of 1:50 for both mAb and conjugate. One hundred percent sensitivity and specificity was achieved for characterization of Leishmania promastogotes with both methods. Conclusion: As immunoperoxidase method needs less equipments compared to IFA technique, it would be a preferred method for characterization of promastigotes.