The role of lysosomes in the healing process of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Biopsy material in early and late stages of cutaneous leishmaniasis was obtained. The ultrastructural study using acid phosphatase reaction as a marker for lysosomes showed that in early stages parasites proliferate undisturbed within macrophage cytoplasm. At later stages numerous degenerating parasites were seen and macrophage lysosomes were observed adhering to and pouring their contents into the parasite. It is assumed that activated macrophages control intracellular parasitism by lysosomal activity.