In vivo assay of viability of amastigotes of Leishmania donovani.
Following intravenous (i.v.) injection of formalin-killed or ultraviolet-killed or ultraviolet-irradiated amastigotes of Leishmania donovani, the parasites could be identified in mouse liver at 5 min, but most amastigotes were digested by 3 hr or between 24 and 72 hr, respectively. An in vivo assay of viability, based on these observations, suggests differences in the viability of hamster amastigote populations. The identification of dead and/or dying amastigotes in the liver 24 hr after i.v. injection suggests that enumeration of amastigotes from Giemsa-stained slide preparations may include varying numbers of nonviable organisms.
D000818:Animals; D001399:Azure Stains; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D007891:Leishmania / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology*; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000469:parasitology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D001399:Azure Stains