Electron microscopy of Leishmania donovani in splenic aspirates from patients with visceral leishmaniasis during treatment with sodium stibogluconate.

Studies were made of the ultrastructure of amastigotes of Leishmania donovani before and during treatment of patients with sodium stibogluconate. The most consistent effects of treatment on the amastigotes were a reduction in average size, greater irregularity of the cell outline, and a moderate increase in the electron density of the cytoplasm associated with a greater concentration of ribosomes. It is suggested that the drug affects active transport functions or permeability of the plasma membrane.