Detection by Western blot of four antigens characterizing acute clinical leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum

Western blot analysis of sera from 32 patients with acute clinical leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum showed the simultaneous presence of antibodies against 4 antigens with molecular masses of 18, 21, 23, 31 kDa. The simultaneous presence of these 4 antigens was specific to the clinical disease and it was not detected in 47 sera from asymptomatic individuals living in the leishmaniasis endemic area of Alpes-Maritimes (southern France) or in 37 sera from patients with other protozoan infections.