Leishmania donovani: CD2 biased immune response skews the SAG mediated therapy for a predominant Th1 response in experimental infection

► It is first ever report of using CD2 mAb in adjunct to chemotherapy for control of VL. ► Previously most of the treatment based on immunochemotherapy involved either IFN-γ or neutralizing anti-IL-10 along with conventional drug. ► With the use of CD2 mAb we have tried to test the efficacy as IFN-γ inducer molecules instead of directly using it. ► The problem of drug resistance was critically considered before conduction of efficacy of the immunotherapy. This study was carried out in mice infected with SAG sensitive and resistant strain. ► It is the first efficacy testing where the events of T-cell activation and initiation of anti-leishmanial macrophage function has been periodically examined simultaneously. The molecule identified offers to be a suitable candidate for Kala-azar control in future.