Potential of a Software Package and Web Tool (SLDAssay) for Estimating Leishmania Parasite Burden in Limiting Dilution Assays
Student Research in Translational Medicine,
Vol. 7 (2025),
1 March 2025
,
Page 1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/srtm.v7.50150
Abstract
Background and Aim: Several methods exist for assessing parasite load in leishmaniosis. However, limiting dilution assay (LDA) is one of the most reliable tests for quantifying parasite burden in experimental models. Many software programs are available for analyzing LDA results; however, they offer different outputs, which might not be suitable for reporting parasite burden. ELIDA is considered a primary tool for this purpose; nevertheless, this software is inaccessible. Thus, it is essential to identify new software to substitute for this program. Our main objective for this study is to compare the performance of two software platforms, ELIDA and SLDAssay, in assessing parasite burden in the murine leishmaniasis model and determine whether these tools can be used interchangeably. Methods: In this study, we utilized a dataset derived from our previous research to evaluate the performance of the SLDAssay software. Data analysis focused on comparing correlations and trends between the ELIDA and SLDAssay software programs across various treatment groups. Results: A robust positive correlation was found between ELIDA and SLDAssay measurements (R² = 0.9367, P < 0.0001). Both software platforms exhibited comparable patterns of infection load across all treatment groups and individual mice, effectively differentiating between therapeutic and control groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that ELIDA and SLDAssay produce comparable and dependable measurements of Leishmania Major infection burdens in murine models. These methodologies can be utilized interchangeably in research on leishmaniasis, providing flexibility in data analysis while maintaining their reliability.
- Leishmania major
- Limiting Dilution Assay
- SLDAssay
How to Cite
References
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