Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Guinea Pig

Abstract

Delayed hypersensitivity phenomena in cutaneous leishmaniasis of the guinea pig, caused by Leishmania enriettii, were investigated with an antigen prepared from promastigotes grown in culture. Cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity was shown to persist for several months after resolution of lesions. Two in vitro correlates of delayed hypersensitivity, blastoid transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the inhibition of migration of peritoneal macrophages, were also positive. Macrophage inhibition persisted several months after resolution. These results suggest that immunity to this form of leishmaniasis is cell-mediated.