Experimental visceral leishmaniasis: immunopathology and histology

This study aimed to assess the immunological and histopathological effects of Leishmania donovani infection in mice, and the impact of pentostam treatment. L. donovani promastigotes were cultured in Nicolle-Novy-McNeal (NNN) medium. Thirty mice were divided into three groups of ten: a negative control group given saline, a positive control group infected with promastigotes, and a treatment group infected with promastigotes and treated with pentostam. The mice were treated daily for 21 days. Blood samples were collected after 7, 14, and 21 days to measure serum levels of IL-1. After 21 days, the mice were euthanized, and their livers and spleens were collected for histopathological analysis. The results showed a significant decrease in IL-1 levels in the infected group compared to the control group, while IL-1 levels increased slightly in the treated group. Histopathological analysis revealed pathological changes in the liver and spleen of infected mice, which were reduced in the treated group. The study concluded that L. donovani infection leads to a decrease in IL-1 production and causes pathological damage to the liver and spleen, and that pentostam treatment is effective in mitigating these effects.