IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF EXPERIMENTAL CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

The study of the murine model of infection with Leishmania major is providing important insights into tire understanding of the complex interactions between Me host and intracellular pathogens. Using this model system, basic research is actively leading to the identification of host factors promoting or circumventing tire development of immunity to L. major. Here, Genevieve Milon, Giuseppe Del Giudice and Jacques A. Louis review recent results related to tire characterization of immunological host factors determining resistance and susceptibility to Mis parasite and try to identify areas where further research is required for a better understanding of the complex events triggered by intracellular parasites within their hosts. Extrapolation to the human leishmaniases of Me rapid advances made in this murine model of infection, should pave tire way to the rational design of future immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic measures.