Presence of antibodies against Leishmania chagasi in haemodialysed patients.

In the last decades there has been an increase in cases of visceral leishmaniasis complicating the post-transplant phase, mainly following kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reactivity of haemodialysed patients using IFAT. Blood samples of 310 individuals from Natal, RN, Brazil, were collected and analysed. Data regarding blood transfusion, cause of end-stage renal disease and duration of haemodialysis were also analysed. In total, 69 patients (22.3%) were positive by IFAT. This study suggests that antibody detection should be performed in this group of patients since they are possible candidates for kidney transplantation.