[Culture systems for production of promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania. Application to serological diagnosis and therapeutic trials]. / Etude de systèmes de culture pour la production des formes promastigotes et amastigotes des Leishmanies. Application au diagnostic sérologique et aux essais thérapeutiques.

Several species of leishmania and three methods of cultivation: monophasic, biphasic and co-cultivation were used in a compared study bearing on the intensive production of leishmania. In addition by applying, a new in vivo model, comprising an injection of sarcomatous cells and promastigotes into BALB/c mice and also an extraction on a discontinuous gradient (Radioselectan 60%), it was possible to obtain highly purified isolates of amastigote forms. The use of two antigens: promastigotes and amastigotes, is to be recommended for the serological diagnosis, by indirect immunofluorescence, of kala-azar. The new in vivo model merits further consideration for research concerning new molecules active against leishmania.