Urine samples from 21 patients with visceral leishmaniasis were examined for the presence of Leishmania donovani soluble antigen and antibody by double counter-current immunoelectrophoresis. 19 samples revealed both antigen and antibody (IgM in 5 and IgG in all samples). 2 urine samples collected 10 and 13 days after Glucantime treatment revealed only antibody (IgG), not soluble antigen.
The presence of immune complexes in serum, and the existence of immunoglobulin and complement on the surface of red blood cells of kala-azar patients was studied. IgG, C3b and C3d were detected on the surface of red cells of some of the patients by a direct anti-globulin test. PEG precipitation and platelet aggregation techniques demonstrated the existence of immune complexes in the sera of all nine patients examined. Both Leishmania antigen and anti-Leishmania antibody were detected in the PEG-precipitated immune complexes.
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