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Long-term in vitro maintenance of Leishmania tropica
176
TRANSACT~NS
OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE (1988) 82, CORRESPONDENCE
mitochondrial function (Borst et al., 1987: Molecular and Biochenzical Parasitology, 23, 31). This alone is sufficient to account for the inability of T. evansi to
undergo cyclical development which, moreover, precludes the participation of T. evansi in genetic exchange with T. brucei, given that this occurs in the tsetse fly (Jenni et al., 1986: Nature, 322, 173). W. Gibson Comparative Pathology Laboratoy, Department of Pathology, University of Bristol, School of Veterinay Science, Langford, Bristol, BS18 7DU, UK 29 September 1987
The origin of espundia
(esponja)
With reference to the auerv of Larson & Marsden (1987: Transactions, SC 880), the term ‘esponja’ applied to horses refers to the condition of cutaneous habronemiasis, which causes granulomatous lesions on the face, legs and genitalia of horses in warm climates. These lesions have been given a variety of names such as summer sores (plaies d’ete) and esponja. Studies on their aetiologv were conducted in Brazil by Descazeauzearly this century and an abstract of h& findings appeared in Tropical Veterinay Bulletin, 1916,4, 102-105. Other early studies include those of Bull in Australia (1916: $tmtal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, 29, 187-199) and Van Saceghemin the former Belgian Congo (1917: Bulletin de la Socs&t+ de Pathologie Exotique, 726-729).
10, 726-729).
Spiruroid nematodes of the genera Habrottema or Draschia are resoonsible. Aberrant infections of skin
by 3rd-stage larvae provoke the granulomatous lesions. These occur where the muscid vector flies tend to feed, such as wounds (often on the legs) or at secretions (e.g., the tear line under the eye - hence the facial lesions).
A. J. Trees Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 SQA, UK IO November 1987
Long-term in vitro maintenance of Leishania tmpica The maintenance of Leishmania parasitesrepresents a problem in many laboratories, especially where there is no laboratory animal facility or liquid nitrogen supply. Busy laboratories face the problem of the many subcultures required for maintaining such parasitesin culture as the promastigote form. Studies on the infectivity sometimesneed media that preserve the activity of the Leishmania for a longer time. In our parasitology laboratory, a Sudanesestrain of L. tropica, isolated from an ulcer of a Sudanesepatient with cutaneous leishmaniasis, was maintained in Tanabe’s liquid medium for more than 3 months without making a subculture. Tanabe’s medium uapan Medical World (1924), 4, 49) is composed of defibrinated rabbit blood, sodium citrate and saline. This medium is easyto prepare and the materials used are easy to store and transport and need no special facilities. As well as its ability to maintain Leishmania for a long time, Tanabe’s is an excellent medium for the initial isolation of the narasites from biolotzical specimens. This medium may also be useful in epidemiological studies in the field in remote areas and scientists going on vacation may find it useful for the maintenance of Leishmania during their absence. A. Eldaw A. B. El-Dirdiri Parasitology Labwatoy, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, P.O. Box 22979, Bahrain 28June I987 HIV antibodies in Danish Volunteer Service personnel in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia In the report by Nielsen et al. (??ansactions, 1987, 81,680) the assumption is made that these volunteers
were not infected before they arrived in Africa and all infection occurred from contact with Africans. Such an unjustified assumption may concern our African colleagues. A satisfactory study should include an examination for HIV infection at the start of the Danish expatriates’ overseas tour. David Morley G. J. Ebrahim
Tropical Child Health Unit, Institute of Child Health, University of London, 30 Guilfwd Street, London, WClN IEH
24 September 1987
TRANSACT~NS
OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE (1988) 82, CORRESPONDENCE
mitochondrial function (Borst et al., 1987: Molecular and Biochenzical Parasitology, 23, 31). This alone is sufficient to account for the inability of T. evansi to
undergo cyclical development which, moreover, precludes the participation of T. evansi in genetic exchange with T. brucei, given that this occurs in the tsetse fly (Jenni et al., 1986: Nature, 322, 173). W. Gibson Comparative Pathology Laboratoy, Department of Pathology, University of Bristol, School of Veterinay Science, Langford, Bristol, BS18 7DU, UK 29 September 1987
The origin of espundia
(esponja)
With reference to the auerv of Larson & Marsden (1987: Transactions, SC 880), the term ‘esponja’ applied to horses refers to the condition of cutaneous habronemiasis, which causes granulomatous lesions on the face, legs and genitalia of horses in warm climates. These lesions have been given a variety of names such as summer sores (plaies d’ete) and esponja. Studies on their aetiologv were conducted in Brazil by Descazeauzearly this century and an abstract of h& findings appeared in Tropical Veterinay Bulletin, 1916,4, 102-105. Other early studies include those of Bull in Australia (1916: $tmtal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, 29, 187-199) and Van Saceghemin the former Belgian Congo (1917: Bulletin de la Socs&t+ de Pathologie Exotique, 726-729).
10, 726-729).
Spiruroid nematodes of the genera Habrottema or Draschia are resoonsible. Aberrant infections of skin
by 3rd-stage larvae provoke the granulomatous lesions. These occur where the muscid vector flies tend to feed, such as wounds (often on the legs) or at secretions (e.g., the tear line under the eye - hence the facial lesions).
A. J. Trees Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 SQA, UK IO November 1987
Long-term in vitro maintenance of Leishania tmpica The maintenance of Leishmania parasitesrepresents a problem in many laboratories, especially where there is no laboratory animal facility or liquid nitrogen supply. Busy laboratories face the problem of the many subcultures required for maintaining such parasitesin culture as the promastigote form. Studies on the infectivity sometimesneed media that preserve the activity of the Leishmania for a longer time. In our parasitology laboratory, a Sudanesestrain of L. tropica, isolated from an ulcer of a Sudanesepatient with cutaneous leishmaniasis, was maintained in Tanabe’s liquid medium for more than 3 months without making a subculture. Tanabe’s medium uapan Medical World (1924), 4, 49) is composed of defibrinated rabbit blood, sodium citrate and saline. This medium is easyto prepare and the materials used are easy to store and transport and need no special facilities. As well as its ability to maintain Leishmania for a long time, Tanabe’s is an excellent medium for the initial isolation of the narasites from biolotzical specimens. This medium may also be useful in epidemiological studies in the field in remote areas and scientists going on vacation may find it useful for the maintenance of Leishmania during their absence. A. Eldaw A. B. El-Dirdiri Parasitology Labwatoy, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, P.O. Box 22979, Bahrain 28June I987 HIV antibodies in Danish Volunteer Service personnel in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia In the report by Nielsen et al. (??ansactions, 1987, 81,680) the assumption is made that these volunteers
were not infected before they arrived in Africa and all infection occurred from contact with Africans. Such an unjustified assumption may concern our African colleagues. A satisfactory study should include an examination for HIV infection at the start of the Danish expatriates’ overseas tour. David Morley G. J. Ebrahim
Tropical Child Health Unit, Institute of Child Health, University of London, 30 Guilfwd Street, London, WClN IEH
24 September 1987