Dynamics of Leishmania-specific immunoglobulin isotypes in dogs with clinical leishmaniasis before and after treatment

Concentrations of Leishmania-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) isotypes were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 23 dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum before and 1 year after initiating drug therapy. Results showed a high expression and prevalence of Leishmania-specific IgG (176.4 +/- 89 ELISA units EU]), IgM (105.3 +/- 95.5 EU), and IgA (153.6 +/- 98 EU) in dogs before treatment (median +/- interquartile range EU). One year after treatment was started, dogs were classified as responsive dogs (RDs; n = 13) or unresponsive dogs (UDs; n = 10) based on clinicopathologic findings. Both groups of dogs experienced a statistically significant decrease (P < .05) in Leishmania-specific IgG (RDs = 27%, UDs = 41%), IgM (RDs = 42%, UDs = 29%), and IgA (RDs = 56%, UDs = 46%). Concentrations of specific IgG and IgM were not different at diagnosis or after treatment between the 2 groups. However, the median value for Leishmania-specific IgA 1 year after treatment was significantly lower (P < .05) in RDs (60.8 +/- 67 EU) than in UDs (117 +/- 54 EU). Examination of our data indicates that both the IgA isotype, which is mostly produced by mucosal plasma cells, and the IgM isotype are increased in infected symptomatic dogs, as previously reported for IgG. These 3 isotypes decreased significantly 1 year after initiation of medical treatment.