Naturally acquired infections with Leishmania enriettii Muniz and Medina 1948 in guinea-pigs from São Paulo, Brazil.

Two domestic guinea-pigs (Cavia porcellus), bought in Pinheros, São Paulo State, Brazil, were taken by their owners to a farm in the rural district of Capão Bonito, close to the Atlantic Forest, São Paulo, where they both developed tumour-like and ulcerating lesions on the ears. The causative agent was identified as Leishmania (L.) enriettii, based on biological characters and isoenzyme profiles. Sources of the parasite in wild mammals, and the possible sandfly vector species are discussed.