Anti-leishmanial antibodies during natural infection of Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi (Rodentia, Gerbillinae) by Leishmania major.

Sera from 77 rodents (Psammomys obesus: 64; Meriones (M.) shawi: 10; M. libycus: 3) trapped in a focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) (Leishmania (L.) major) were examined for the presence of anti-leishmanial antibodies by the indirect fluorscence antibody technique (IFAT) (L. major antigens) using homologous antiglobulins and/or anti-Rattus conjugates. Sera from 21 animals were positive with titres that ranged from 1: 20 up to 1: 640. The investigation revealed that a good correlation existed between the occurrence of antileishmanial antibodies in the sera and amastigotes in the rodents' ears. The data also suggest the suitability of the IFAT as an epidemiological tool to estimate rates of infection by L. major in Psammomys obesus and Meriones Spp. in foci of ZCL.