Histopathological and immunological changes in experimental visceral leishmaniasis

Leishmania donovani, variety infantum [Egyptian strain], was isolated from an Egyptian child admitted to the Paediatric Hospital in Alexandria. The case was diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis as proved by bone marrow examination and the serological tests. The strain was cultured in Tanabe's medium and modified El-On's medium and the promastigotes obtained were used for animal inoculation. Swiss albino mice were infected by the intracardiac route, the lever of infected animals was studied at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after infection. The study included histopathological examination of the liver by H and E and Masson trichrome stain and indirect fluorescent antibody test for liver sections. Changes in the liver were described and discussed