Biochemical characterization of Leishmania spp. isolated from man and wild animals in kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

International Journal for Parasitology

Publication Date

1-1-1989

Abstract

Okot-Kotber B.M., Mutinga M.J. and Kaddu J.B. 1989. Biochemical characterization of Leishmania spp. isolated from man and wild animals in Kenya. International Journal for Parasitology 19: 657-663. Isoelectrofocusing in agarose was used to characterize Leishmania spp. isolated from a kala-azar patient, a lizard, genet cat and elephant shrew. Isoenzyme profiles of 12 enzymes and general protein patterns were examined. Both methods were found to be useful for distinguishing between the isolates. The wild animal Leishmania spp. were shown to be indistinguishable from a reference strain of L. major, but the isolate from man was distinctly different from L. donovani sensu stricto. The unique finding that the lizard isolate was similar to L. major and its significance are discussed in some detail. The use of the isoelectrofocusing technique for separation of enzymes and general proteins for characterization purposes is emphasized. © 1989.

Keywords

biochemical characterization, epidemiology, general proteins, isoelectrofocusing, isoenzymes, Kenya, Leishmania, parasites, wild animals

PubMed ID

2807720

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