This project continues to focus primarily upon the different clinical forms of leishmanial infection in humans, their immune response to leishmanial antigens, and characteristics of the causative parasites. Although only four new patients were studied in the Clinical Center during the last year, considerable use has been made of peripheral mononuclear cells recovered from them and from previous patients that are obtained by leukophoresis and stored frozen. Dr. Cooper has used such cells for investigating antigen expression on infected cells and Dr. Karp has been developing in-vitro assays for several different lymphokines. Studies of the typical cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani chagasi have continued in Honduras. A survey by Dr. Donce of delayed skin test reactivity in people without history or evidence of clinical disease from an endemic area has disclosed a high rate of positive reactors. Also maximal DTH reactions were found to an antigen prepared from homologous species of organism. We hope to initiate studies on patients with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.
