Clonal variation within a mucosal isolate derived from a patient with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection.

Three isolates over 5 years from a patient with persistent relapsing mucosal leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and 7 clones from one of these isolates were studied by zymodemes and serodemes analysis. Results showed evidences of clonal phenotypic variation. Eight isoenzymes markers demonstrated clear differences on Cellulose Acetate (CA) and thin starch gel electrophoresis. Also a panel of specific monoclonal antibodies showed such differences. Our observations provide additional evidence that Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is composed by subpopulations of parasites with peculiar biochemical and antigenic characteristics.

[Natural infection of Equus asinus by Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis-Bahia, Brazil]. / Infecção natural de Equus asinus por Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis-Bahia, Brasil.

In Corte de Pedra, Valença, state of Bahia, a donkey, Equus asinus, was found naturally infected with Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis. The parasite was isolated from a lesion located on a castration scar, and identified by means of monoclonal antibodies.

[Experimental infection of Lutzomyia whitmani in dogs infected with Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis]. / Infecção experimental de Lutzomyia whitmani em cães infectados com Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis.

Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani was infected on leishmaniotic lesions of three out of nine dogs infected with Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis. The infectivity rates in these sandflies were 8.3% (1/12), 7.1% (1/14) and 1.8% (3/160), respectively. In addition, 180 Lu. whitmani fed on non-ulcerated regions of one of the infected dogs and none became infected. We emphasize the vector potentiality of Lu. whitmani for L.b. braziliensis in the endemic region of Três Braços, Bahia, Brazil.