Leishmaniasis is a vector born disease for which a highly sensitive diagnosis is required as parasite load can be low. Diagnosis specificity is also crucial since the first line drugs (pentavalent antimonials) used for treatment have serious side effects. The most serious form, the visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is caused by parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex (L. donovani and L. infantum) and is usually lethal if left untreated. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has at least 12 Leishmania species as etiological agent. Most of CL leaves disfiguring scars and massive tissue destruction can also occur, mainly with muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. braziliensis.

Current diagnosis of VL is based on serology and confirmed by microscopic examination of spleen aspirate, bone marrow or lymph node. Serology is sensitive but it cannot discriminate past and present infection and its performance is reduced for immunocompromised patients.

Leishmanin Skin Test, microscopy or culture are used for CL diagnosis.Microscopy is not very sensitive and culture is very slow.