Table 4.

Performance of modified reference FD-DAT test in comparison with original and the LQ-DAT versions currently used for the detection of VL

Direct agglutination test version*	Titers expressed as the number of the 2-fold serial dilution†: ≤ 2 3 4 5 6‡ 7 8 ≥ 9
Citrate-saline/formaldehyde–improved FD-DAT	2	1	12	3	0	0	0	12
Current FD-DAT	10	6	2	0	0	0	1	11
Current LQ-DAT	1	2	11	4	0	0	0	12

FD-DAT = freeze-dried direct agglutination test; LQ-DAT = liquid direct agglutination test; VL = visceral leishmaniasis.

* No statistical difference between outcomes of the three test versions was found (Fr = 15.3167; P < 0.0001).

† Titers are expressed as the number of the 2-fold serial dilution starting from 1:100 (dilution 1) up to dilution 1:25,600 (dilution 9).

‡ Cutoff for VL = (dilution 6, 1:3,200).