Sarah Ali Hameed
Doctor in Department of Anesthesia Techniques, College of Health and Medical Technology/Kufa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University. University-31003, Al-Najaf, Kufa, Iraq
Safa Khalid Aziz Alaboudi
MSc. in Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Health and Medical Technology/Kufa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University. University-31003, Al-Najaf, Kufa, Iraq
Omar Mohammed Hameed
Department of Pathological Analysis, College of Applied Sciences, University of Samarra, Samarra 34010, Iraq
Hawraa Neama Abd Ali
Al-Haydaria General Hospital, , Al-Najaf, Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background: Visceral leishmaniosis remains important tropical disease of high morbidity and mortality, especially in regions like Southern Iraq. Serological tests like ELISA for antigens like rK39 were encouraging but require validation at the regional level and correlation with disease severity investigated. Aim of the Study: To evaluate immune reactivity to L. donovani surface antigen rK39 using ELISA in patients suspected of having VL. And to establish correlations of anti-rK39 antibodies levels, organ enlargement (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly), and disease severity to enhance diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: The case-control study included 90 cases of Visceral leishmaniosis confirmed by parasitological examination and 90 controls matched for region, sex, and age. Venous blood samples were drawn, and serum anti-rK39 antibodies were measured using a standardized recombinant antigen ELISA protocol. Clinical assessment of spleen and liver volumes was performed by clinical examination and ultrasound. Results: VL patients showed higher concentrations of anti-rK39 antibodies (150 ± 50 ng/ml) compared to the control group (12 ± 5 ng/ml, P < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was found between antibody titers and spleen size (P < 0.001), indicating that patients with larger spleens had more antibodies. A moderate correlation was also found with liver size (P = 0.025). From these results, it is clear that antibody levels are an indicator of disease severity. Conclusion: The ELISA test for detecting anti-rK39 antibodies is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic method for active visceral leishmaniasis. Antibodies are also associated with organ enlargement, suggesting their usefulness in measuring disease severity and course.
Keywords: Leishmania Donovani, Visceral Leishmaniosis, Anti-Rk39, Immune Response.
