T cells that react to the immunodominant Leishmania major LACK antigen prevent early dissemination of the parasite in susceptible BALB/c mice.

Susceptibility of BALB/c mice to Leishmania major depends on the early production of IL-4 by CD4(+) T cells which react to the parasite LACK antigen. Here, we show that LACK-specific cells are rapidly recruited to the site of infection and favor the early dissemination of L. major to the internal organs.