Field Deployable Diagnostic Test for Active Cutaneous Leishmania and a Test for Latent Infection

The proposed immunochromatographic diagnostic test would be a useful rapid diagnostic test for the direct detection of Leishmania parasites responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in soldiers exhibiting skin lesions. It would have application in detecting Leishmania parasites directly from needle aspirates/swabs of skin lesions in a field environment hence facilitating accurate treatment. The major advantage of this diagnostic methodology is that is it is non invasive and provides rapid (<15 min) detection of the presence of Leishmania parasites. The test would have high sensitivity and the ability to differentiate from visceral forms of Leishmaniasis. It would have field applications for troops deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan as well as to travelers to these regions of the world.