Effect of ambient temperature on the clinical manifestations of experimental diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in a rodent model.

Dermal species of Leishmania have a relatively broad temperature range for optimal growth in vitro, with temperature differences accompanied by a form change. This suggests that when the host is living in moderate temperatures (22°C), infection may proceed at temperatures lower than those that occur in tropical regions (32°C), and a different clinical expression of the disease due to a different parasitic form may result. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of environmental temperature on the clinical expression of the disease.

Activity of hydroxyurea against Leishmania mexicana.

Leishmania mexicana is a protozoan parasite that causes a disease in humans with frequent relapses after treatment. It is also highly resistant to the currently available drugs. For this reason, there is an urgent need for more effective antileishmanial drugs.