methods for the diagnosis of visceral , cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa leishmania is disclosed . disclosed are antibody - capture enzyme - linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of antibodies to leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen - capture elisas for the detection of leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples . also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of leishmania parasite circulating antigens or igm and igg antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral , cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis . in these methods and kits , detection may be done photometrically or visually . the methods and kits also allow the visualization of leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample .