[Reaction of Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana antigens by sera of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from Sinaloa, Mexico].

OBJECTIVE

To detect Leishmania mexicana antigens reacting with sera of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A crude extract of L. mexicana was used as antigen for 2-D Western blot using sera from 5 patients with CL and controls from Sinaloa, Mexico during 2008.

RESULTS

Five antigens were detected in the five infected patients analyzed; their molecular weights and isoelectric points were: 26 kDa (pI 7.8), 27 kDa (pI 8.1), 28 kDa (pI 8.6), 29 kDa (pI 8.5) and 31 kDa (pI 9.0).

CONCLUSION

New potentially immunodominant L. mexicana antigens were detected, suggesting that this parasite could be the species responsible for human infection in Sinaloa.