The present invention provides rapid diagnostic assays for the detection of Leishmania which can readily be used in the field, leading to more rapid treatment. In certain embodiments, the inventive assays, including ELISA and lateral flow assays, employ antibodies that may be effectively employed to detect the Leishmania major antigen TSA, which is present in both promastigotes grown in culture and in amastigotes. Such assays may be employed to detect the presence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a subject using scrapings, biopsies, and/or aspirates taken from cutaneous lesions.