In vitro and in vivo behaviour of sympatric Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) peruviana and their hybrids.

• Authors: Campino L, Cortes S, Cristóvão JM, Esteves C, Maia C, Maurício I, Miles M
• Journal: Parasitology
• Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=In+vitro+and+in+vivo+behaviour+of+sympatric+Leishmania+(V.)+braziliensis%2C+L.+(V.)+peruviana+and+their+hybrids.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main cause of highly disfiguring mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in South America. The related species L. (V.) peruviana has only been identified in simple cutaneous lesions (CL). Hybrids between L. braziliensis and L. peruviana have been reported although genetic exchange in Leishmania is considered to be rare. Here we compared growth in vitro, adaptive capacity under thermal and oxidative stress and behaviour in a hamster model, of L. braziliensis, L. peruviana, and their putative hybrids. At 24°C, the optimal temperature for in vitro growth, L. braziliensis had the highest growth rate.
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