Immunotherapeutic Role of Radio Attenuated Leishmania Parasites in Experimental Murine Visceral Leishmaniasis

摘要

Till date, there is no prophylaxis or therapy available against leishmaniasis. Several attempts have been taken to achieve protection and therapy using attenuated strains. In the present study, Leishmania donovani parasites attenuated at different doses of gamma (g) radiation have been used as immunotherapeutic agent against experimental BALB/c model for visceral leishmaniasis. Reduction in parasite burden and increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation as well as increase in T helper (Th)1 cytokine release (IFN- g & IL-2) and decrease in Th 2 (IL-10 & IL-4) cytokine level in the treated groups gave us strong clue that radio attenuated parasites could act as immunotherapeutic candidate against visceral leishmaniasis.