Study and characterization of different developmental stages of Leishmania major.

: The complete developmental cycle of Leishmania major in axenic culture was achieved by simply changing the temperature whether sudden from 22 degrees C to 37 degrees C or stepwise 22 degrees C, 29 degrees C and then 37 degrees C. The morphology by light microscopy, GPI isoenzyme pattern and PCR amplification of minicircle of kinetoplast DNA of the different stages were studied. The amastigotes obtained from the foot pads of mice were compared to those obtained from axenic culture. The GPI isoenzyme pattern and the PCR amplification products showed distinct differences between the promastigotes and the amastigotes. The amastigotes of the two sources also showed differences after temperature changes.