Figure 1. Infection of BALB/c mice.

Mice (n = 8) were infected subcutaneously with 1×10⁶ stationary promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. Lesion development in the infected footpads was monitored weekly, up to 8 weeks after infection. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) are shown in (A). Parasite load in the infected footpads, spleen, and liver was analyzed in all animals (B). Other mice (n = 8, per group) were subcutaneously infected with 1×10⁶ stationary promastigotes of L. amazonensis obtained from R0 or R30 passages, and the lesion development was monitored up to 8 weeks after infection. Mean ± SD of the groups are shown (C). The parasite load in the infected footpads, spleen, and liver was also evaluated in these groups (D). The experiments were repeated three times, and presented similar results. *Significant difference between the R0 and R30 groups (P<0.05).