[The identification of Leishmania isolates obtained from patients and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis in the Turkmen SSR].

Using electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, 11 isolates have been detected by 8 enzymes (PGI, PGM, 6-PGD, MDG, G-6-PGD, ME, ALAT, ASAT) from patients with visceral leishmaniasis and dogs in the Turkmen SSR. The isolates were obtained from different areas of the republic varying in landscape and climatic conditions. The isolates were maintained by passages on golden hamsters. No long-lasting Leishmania culture has been obtained on the nutrition medium for any of the isolates. Parasite biomass was obtained by cultivation of spleen and liver suspensions on the nutrition medium. All the isolates were identified as Leishmania infantum, representing, however, independent zymodems. Isolates from human patients identified by PGI in the foci of the southeastern Kara Kum were distinct from those isolated from human patients in the foci of western Kopet-Dag. The isolates from 1-2-year-old children and an adult patient aged 31 in the same area were identical. The isolates from dogs were different from human ones in PGI and were not identical with Lem 78 marker isolated from dogs.