Cytokines and chemokines measured in dried SLA-stimulated whole blood spots for asymptomatic Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani infection. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ibarra-Meneses, A.; Mondal, D.; Alvar, J.; Moreno, J.; Carrillo, E.
• Is Part Of: Scientific reports. Volume 7:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Natural history -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17315-z
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2322

Abstract

Abstract Whole blood stimulation with solubleLeishmania antigen (SLA), followed by plasma cytokine and chemokine determination, provides means of detecting subjects with asymptomaticLeishmania infection. This work examines the potential of Protein Saver 903 cards for the storage and transport of SLA-stimulated dried plasma spot samples. Blood was collected from asymptomatic and negative control subjects living in aLeishmania infantum- (Spain) andLeishmania donovani -endemic area (Bangladesh). After SLA-stimulation, three types of sample were prepared: frozen liquid plasma (−20 °C), and plasma dropped onto Protein Saver cards kept at −20 °C (DPS-FZ), and at ambient temperature (DPS-AT). The concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-2, CXCL10, CXCL9, CCL2 and CXCL8 in the thawed liquid plasma (TLP), DPS-FZ and DPS-AT samples were then determined. Strong correlations were seen between the TLP and DPS-FZ/AT samples for all the studied cytokines/chemokines in both theL. infantum andL. donovani areas. Protein Saver 903 cards would therefore appear to allow for the transport of SLA-stimulated plasma samples by courier at ambient temperature. The CXCL10 and CXCL9 detectable in these plasma spots provided robust markers for identifying asymptomatic subjects from both endemic areas. This easy procedure opens up new possibilities for field studies in resource-limited settings, which could help inLeishmania control.