Figure 7.

Metacyclogenesis as evaluated by infectivity to human macrophages. Monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with parasites from different days of culture (2nd, 6th, or 10th). After 24 or 72 h of incubation, cells were stained and evaluated under a light microscope (1000x). (a) M2903; (b) IMG3; (c) PPS6m; (d) PH8; (e) MAB6. Data show median and minimal and maximal values from 6 donors from 2 independent experiments done in triplicates. ^* P < 0.05 (2nd versus 6th day; 2nd versus 10th day; 24 h; 72 h); ^# P < 0.05 (24 h versus 72 h). (f) Photomicrography of infected macrophages (IMG3 L. braziliensis). Arrows indicate amastigotes forms, and bar corresponds to 5 μm.