Histopathogenic Mechanisms in American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis of Mice

The appearance of specific clinical types of American cutaneous leishmaniasis depends on host genetic factors and the virulence of the parasite. Bradley et al (1979), showed, in mice, that resistance to Leishmania donovani is controlled by autosomic gene localized on chromosome 1, designed at Lsh gene. This gene also controls resistance to Salmonella typhimurium, Mycobacteirum bovis and Mycobacterium lepraemurium in mice. It seems that this gene does not have any effect in Leishmani major and Leishmania mexicana infections. Susceptibility to Leishmania major is controlled by the Scl gene which is found on chromosome 8. It also influences infection by Leishmania mexicana.