FIG 5.

Levels of antimony in promastigote forms of L. (Viannia) guyanensis wild-type (LgWT) incubated in the presence of Sb^III, Sb^III-sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), Sb^III-potassium nitrate (KNO₃), or Sb^III-silver acetate (AgC₂H₃O₂). As a control, the parasites were incubated only with sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or silver acetate. The intracellular level of antimony was quantified by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The data represent the means ± standard errors from three independent experiments performed in quadruplicate. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's t test and one-way analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni's multiple-comparison test. *, P < 0.001; ***, P < 0.0004.