Development of a Murine Infection Model withLeishmania killicki, Responsible for Cutaneous Leishmaniosis in Algeria: Application in Pharmacology

Abstract

In Algeria,Leishmania infantum,Leishmania major, andLeishmania killicki(Leishmania tropica) are responsible for cutaneous leishmaniosis. We established a murine model ofL. killickiinfection to investigate its infective capacity, some immunophysiopathological aspects, and its suitability for pharmacological purposes. Following the injection ofL. majororL. killickimetacyclic promastigotes in the ear dermis of BALB/c mice, the course of infection was followed. The infection withL. killickicaused slower lesion formation than withL. major. The presence ofL. killickiorL. majorDNA and parasites was detected in the ear dermis and in lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. Lesions induced byL. killickiwere nonulcerative in their aspect, whereas those caused byL. majorwere highly ulcerative and necrotic, which matches well with the lesion phenotype reported in humans forL. killickiandL. major, respectively. The treatment ofL. killickilesions by injection of Glucantime® significantly reduced the lesion thickness and parasite burden. Ear dermal injection of BALB/c mice constitutes a model to study lesions physiopathology caused byL. killickiand presents interest forin vivoscreening of new compounds against this pathogen, emerging in Algeria.