About LDL
The WRAIR's Leishmania Diagnostics Laboratory (LDL) in Silver Spring, MD, was established in 1978 and was accredited in 2001 by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) as a response to growing outbreaks of leishmaniasis during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom where it became a significant source of morbidity for U.S. Service Members. Transmitted by infected sand flies, leishmaniasis remains a meaningful threat to the Warfighter.
LDL is the only accredited leishmaniasis reference diagnostic laboratory in North America. LDL provides Leishmania testing services to U.S. Service Members, their beneficiaries and DOD civilian employees located in the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS). Tests offered include: microscopic evaluation of histopathology slides, Leishmania culture, real-time PCR, antibody detection (rK39) and species determination (cellulose acetate electrophoresis: CAE).