[Susceptibility to and the characteristics of the course of experimental leishmaniasis in different species of mammals infected with Leishmania major, L. turanica and L. gerbilli].

40 R. opimus and 69 M. libycus were infected and 59 human subjects were vaccinated in laboratory conditions. 13 cultures of 3 leishmania species and their mixtures were used. R. opimus turned to be sensitive to 3 leishmania species. Leishmaniasis developed in the form of infiltrates irrespective of the leishmania species and pathogenic activity. Ulceration and visceralization were always absent. Differences in the duration of leishmania preservation in R. opimus have been noted. In L. major infection the mean disease duration was 7 months, in L. turanica infection it was 15 months, in L. gerbilli infection it was 18 months and in combined L. major and L. turanica infection the disease duration was 39 months. M. libycus proved to be sensitive to L. major and L. major/L. turanica mixture and resistant to L. turanica and L. gerbilli. In L. major infection ulceration (mean duration, 4 months) was observed. In combined L. major and L. turanica infection the signs varied from infiltrates to ulceration, with the disease duration increasing to 8.5 months. In human subjects, the typical course of leishmaniasis was observed only in L. major infection, when L. turanica with artificially increased pathogenic activity was administered, the course of skin lesions was abortive, which, however, in 1 volunteer led to the development of immunity to subsequent administration of L. major.