FIG 3.

In vitro differentiation efficacy and growth curve. (A) Growth curve of slender forms adapted from wild-type (WT) and DB766-resistant (766R) axenic amastigotes over a period of 5 days in culture. A total of 5 × 10⁶ axenic amastigote forms/ml were cultured in promastigote medium in the absence of DB766. The number of slender forms arising from transformation of DB766-resistant and wild-type axenic amastigotes was determined by hemocytometer-based counting every 24 h for 5 days. Results indicate the mean ± SE of three separate measurements. (B) Efficiency of transformation of axenic amastigotes to promastigotes adapted from wild-type and DB766-resistant L. donovani. A total of 5 × 10⁶ axenic amastigotes/ml were cultured in promastigote medium in the absence of DB766. Total cell density and the number of slender forms arising from DB766-resistant and wild-type axenic amastigotes were determined by hemocytometer-based counting every 24 h for 72 h. Values are expressed as the percentage of slender forms relative to the total cell density. Results indicate the mean ± SE of three separate measurements. *, P < 0.01; **, P < 0.005.