[Serologic cross-reactions to Leishmania infantum using indirect immunofluorescence in HIV+ and HIV- patients with active tuberculosis].

BACKGROUND

Clinical presentation of disseminated tuberculosis and visceral leishmaniosis can be very similar, mainly in those infected with HIV, being serology a useful tool in making a differential diagnosis. Cross-reactions of IFAT serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniosis with other diseases are well known, but few data is available with tuberculosis.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Detection of serum antibodies against Leishmania, using a commercial IFAT kit, was attempted in sera of 51 patients with active pulmonar and/or extrapulmonar tuberculosis (25 HIV+ and 26 HIV-). Overall cross-reactions was found in 19.6% patients without significative differences in between 2 groups, but differences in positive serum titres was observed: one at 1/256, three at 1/160, and one at 1/80 dilution, in the HIV+ group, whereas all 5 patients in HIV- group cross-reacted at 1/80 dilution. Recognition of specific leishmanial antigenic bands by serum antibodies of patients with tuberculosis were not clearly defined by Western-blot.

CONCLUSIONS

IFAT technique for leishmaniosis cross-react in 20% of patients with tuberculosis.