Effect of levamisole on the course of experimental leishmaniasis in guinea-pigs and mice: haematological and immunological findings.

The effects of levamisole on the course of Leishmania enriettii infection in guinea-pigs and L. major in mice were investigated. It was demonstrated that levamisole-treated guinea-pigs either did not develop an ulcerative lesion or developed a much smaller lesion than untreated animals. Moreover, metastases which are commonly produced in approximately 50% of animals receiving 2 x 10(6) L. enriettii did not occur in levamisole-treated guinea-pigs. Leishmania enriettii infection usually causes leukopenia and eosinophilia in guinea-pigs approximately two to three weeks after infection. These haematological changes did not occur in animals receiving levamisole. The percentage of rosette T-cells which diminished in the L. enriettii infection was normalized in the group of levamisole-treated and infected guinea-pigs. The severity of Leishmania infection in mice receiving levamisole was lower in comparison to a control group of the animals.