Changes in serum anti-Leishmania antibody concentrations measured by time-resolved immunofluorometric assays in dogs with leishmaniosis after treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in anti-Leishmania IgG2 and IgA antibodies measured by two time-resolved immunofluorometric assays (TR-IFMAs) recently validated and by means of a commercially available ELISA test in dogs with leishmaniosis after treatment. Serum samples from 16 dogs with clinical leishmaniosis were obtained on days 0, 30 and 180 of treatment. In addition, these serological changes were compared with the clinical signs and selected analytes (total proteins, albumin, globulins and urinary protein:creatinine ratio). Concentrations of IgG2 and IgA by TR-IFMA were significantly lower on days 30 (p < 0.05) and 180 of treatment (p < 0.0001) compared to day 0 in dogs that showed a positive response to treatment. Magnitudes of decrease of IgG2 (1.66 and 20.4-fold) and IgA (1.3 and 11.43-fold) concentrations on days 30 and 180 were greater than those of the commercially available ELISA test (1.29 and 2.06-fold), and that of other analytes (total proteins: 1.11 and 1.25-fold; globulins: 1.22 and 1.74-fold; and albumin: 0.93 and 0.8-fold). This study shows that serum IgG2 and IgA anti-Leishmania antibodies measured by TR-IFMAs were useful for treatment monitoring in dogs with leishmaniosis, showing a significant reduction in antibody concentrations earlier than the commercial ELISA assay. Results suggest that the method used for antibody measurements greatly influences the results and, consequently, the usefulness for measuring anti-Leishmania antibodies to monitor the treatment of canine leishmaniosis.