LEISHMANIA-INFANTUM NICOLLE, 1908, THE AGENT OF ORIENTAL SORE IN FRANCE - ON THE BIOCHEMICAL-IDENTIFICATION OF 2 STRAINS ISOLATED IN PYRENEES-ORIENTALES
Two strains of parasites isolated from cases of oriental sore in the Pyrenees-Orientales [France] were identified by electrophoretic analysis of 8 isoenzymes [phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.7.5.1); phosphogluconate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9); glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49); 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44); isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.43); malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37); malic enzyme ( EC 11.1.40); and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1)]. Both strains were identical to L. infantum Nicolle, 1908, which normally causes visceral leishmaniasis. It is probable that, in the Mediterranean region, some cutaneous lesions observed within the area of visceral leishmaniasis are caused by this species rather than by L. tropica (Wright, 1903) or L. major (Yakimoff et Schokor, 1914), traditionally believed to be agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World.