BACKGROUND: RPMI 1640 is one of the most widely used culture media for the growth of microorganisms such as Leishmania, which is typically enriched with 10-30 % of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or calf serum (FCS) due to having growth factors such as micronutrients, trace elements, and hormones.OBJECTIVES: As a result of limitations such as the high cost of commercial sera and the recent propagation of ostrich and camel breeding in our country as well as the possibility of obtaining their sera comprising growth factors similar to FBS or FCS, we decided to compare different percentages of these sera with FBS regarding the growth of two Leishmania species.METHODS: 1×106/mL of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica were cultured in RPMI 1640 in the presence of different percentages of 2.5-30 % related to all three sera; they were then counted, compared, and analyzed on different days up to the fourteenth day.RESULTS: The highest proliferation of both Leishmania species was observed in the presence of all percentages of FBS up to day 7. In media enriched with less than 5 % of both ostrich and camel sera, the growth of the two species of Leishmania was favorable; however,with the increase in the amount of these sera, the proliferation of both species decreased. While only 10 % of sera was compared, the highest growth of L. major and L. tropica was observed in the presence of FBS followed by camel serum.CONCLUSIONS: For 5 % and less concentrations, each ostrich and camel sera and for 10 %, only camel serum are recommended as substitutes for FBS in RPMI 1640 concerning the cultivation of L. major and L. tropicafor a week of incubation;if more than 15 percent is required, FBS is still the best option.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease which has worldwide importance and is hard to control and treat. Researchers have not yet developed a protective vaccine for humans in the light of current studies. Various experimental animal models are being used since; i) Leishmania has different species and vectors, ii) there are still many clinical, pathological and immunological issues that have to be investigated, iii) new non-toxic medical recipes to have maximum yield in a short time have to be investigated, iv) protective vaccination have to be developed. Mouse, hamster, dog, rodent, and non-human primates are among these animal models. None of them has the same clinical features, pathogenesis and immunology with the disease in human. However, rodents, dogs, and monkeys, which are the last host of the parasite, are among the most preferred models in recent days. Considering the different clinical forms of the disease, it is best to decide which Leishmania species to work with which animal. This review is intended to guide the researchers in choosing an appropriate animal model for leishmaniasis studies.

Leishmania donovani, dogs (exper.), liposome-encapsulated meglumine antimoniate (LEMA) vs. unencapsulated meglumine antimoniate, LEMA was 700 times more efficacious than the encapsulated drug, liposomes can markedly reduce the drug dosage required for equivalent treatment of visceral leishmaniasis

Leishmania donovani, amastigotes from dog marrow macrophages, ultrastructure

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease that is common in the world. Because of the difficulties in the treatment and control of the disease, the disease has gained popularity among researchers. Today, however, no vaccine has been developed for human protection. Considering the fact that the vector can survive in a wide ecosystem and the disease can be detected in many mammals such as humans, dogs, rodents, prevention from leishmaniasis and treatment of the disease require a combined intervention. The toxic effects of the drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis, the expensive treatment and the resistance of the parasite to the drug have led to the research of alternative treatment methods. This review is intended to provide an overview of leishmaniasis alternative treatment practices and to guide new researchs.

<p>A Leishmaniose visceral em cães é descrita como uma doença de caráter crônico na qual os principais sintomas são perda progressiva de peso, caquexia e lesões dermatológicas. Recentemente, a doença tem sido relacionada com alterações neurológicas. Um total de 40 cães portadores de leishmaniose visceral foi dividido em dois grupos. O primeiro composto por cães sem sintomas neurológicos (n=30) e o segundo grupo composto por cães com sintomas neurológicos (n=10). Amostras de encéfalo foram coletadas e armazenadas em formalina tamponada, para realização de imunoistoquímica para a pesquisa de formas amastigotas de <em>Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi</em>, linfócitos T CD3+, CD4+ e CD8+ e macrófagos. A reação de imunoistoquímica não revelou formas amastigotas do parasita. Linfócitos T estavam presentes em 24/30 (80%) dos cães sem sintomas neurológicos e em todos os cães do segundo grupo (p=0,0011). Linfócitos CD4+ e CD8+ raramente foram observados, apresentando imunomarcação para CD4+ em 10/40 (25%) dos cães e em metade dos animais do grupo neurológico (p=0,0090). A presença de CD8+ foi detectada em 4/10 (40%) cães com doenças neurológicas (p=0,0021). Macrófagos foram observados em 38/40 (95%) cães, sem diferença estatística significante entre os dois grupos (p= 0,7664).</p> | <p>Visceral leishmaniasis in dogs is described as a chronic disease whose main symptoms are progressive weigth loss, cachexy and dermatologic lesions. Recently, the disease has been associated to neurologic disorders. A total of 40 dogs with visceral leishmaniasis were divided into two groups. The first composed of dogs without neurological signs (n=30) and the second by dogs with neurological disorders (n=10). Brain samples were collected, stored in 10% buffered formalin and subjected to immunohistochemical examination for amastigotes forms of <em>Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi, </em>CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and macrophages. Imunnohistochemistry evaluation revealed no amastigote forms of the parasite. CD3+ T lymphocytes were present in 24/30 (80%) dogs without neurological signs and in all dogs from the second group (p=0.0011). CD4+ and CD8+ were rarely observed, with CD4+ immunostaining in 10/40 (25%) dogs, from which half of them had neurological disease (p=0.0090). The presence of CD8+ was detected only in 4/10 (40%) dogs from neurological group (p=0.0021). Macrophages were detected in 38/40 (95%) dogs, without significant differences between groups (p=0.7664).</p>