Demographic and hematological profile of patients undergoing rK39 RDT testing for visceral leishmaniasis, Gondar, Ethiopia, 2012–2013.

<p>IQR: interquartile range; RDT: rapid diagnostic test; WBC: white blood cells</p><p>Demographic and hematological profile of patients undergoing rK39 RDT testing for visceral leishmaniasis, Gondar, Ethiopia, 2012–2013.</p

Arginase Activity in plasma from whole blood assay.

<p>Arginase Activity in plasma from whole blood assay.</p

Arginase activity in plasma from activated whole blood cells.

<p>Blood from VL patients (n = 10) was collected with heparin and EDTA and was activated at 37°C with SLA, PHA or PBS (unstimulated). 24 hours later, the plasma was collected and the levels of arginase activity were measured by enzymatic assay as described in materials and methods. Each symbol represents the value for one individual, the straight lines represent the median. Statistical differences were determined using a Kruskal-Wallis test.</p

Comparison of IFN-γ production in patients with active VL and in cured patients.

<p>Blood from patients with active VL (VL, n = 23), after 17 days (TOC, n = 16), 3 months (n = 20) or 6 months (n = 10) of treatment was collected with heparin and was activated at 37°C with SLA, PHA or PBS (nil). 24 hours later, the plasma was collected and the levels of IFN-γ were measured by ELISA as described in materials and methods. The value obtained for the unstimulated cells (nil) was subtracted from the values obtained for SLA (A) and PHA (B) stimulations. Each symbol represents the value for one individual, the straight lines represent the median and statistical differences were determined using a Mann-Whitney test. The dotted line represents the detection limit.</p

IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in plasma of VL patients and controls.

<p>IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in plasma of VL patients and controls.</p

Frequency of LDGs in blood collected with EDTA and heparin.

<p>Blood from VL patients (n = 23) and non-endemic healthy controls (n = 10) was collected with heparin and EDTA, PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll gradient and the frequencies of LDGS (= CD15+ arginase+ cells[<a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004468#pntd.0004468.ref012" target="_blank">12</a>]) were determined by flow cytometry. Each symbol represents the value for one individual, the straight lines represent the median, and statistical differences were determined using a Mann-Whitney test. A) VL patients, B) controls.</p

Frequency of LDGs.

<p>Frequency of LDGs.</p

IFN-γ levels in plasma from activated whole blood cells.

<p>Blood from non-endemic healthy controls (n = 10) was collected with heparin and EDTA and was activated at 37°C with PHA or PBS (nil = unstimulated). 24 hours later, the plasma was collected and the levels of IFN-γ were measured by ELISA as described in materials and methods and in exactly the same conditions and in the same laboratory as the VL patients. The value obtained for the unstimulated cells (nil) was subtracted from the values obtained for PHA stimulations. Each symbol represents the value for one individual, the straight lines represent the median, and statistical differences were determined using a Mann-Whitney test. The dotted line represents the detection limit.</p

Clinical data.

<p>Clinical data.</p

IL-10 production in plasma from whole blood assay.

<p>IL-10 production in plasma from whole blood assay.</p