Leishmania mexicana amazonensis infections in 'resistant' inbred mice following removal of the draining lymph node.

Highly resistant (C57BL/10) and intermediately resistant (DBA/2) mice were infected subcutaneously with Leishmania mexicana amazonensis in a hind footpad subsequent to removal of the draining popliteal node. These mice developed greatly exacerbated Leishmania infections as compared to sham-operated controls or to mice infected in the contralateral footpad. The majority of mice in which the draining lymph nodes were removed prior to infection developed metastases, lost their delayed hypersensitivity responses to Leishmania, and some died. Significantly fewer metastases and no deaths were observed in the control groups. The results emphasize the importance of lymphatic control of Leishmania m. amazonensis infection in relatively resistant mouse strains.