THE EFFECT OF INTERLEUKIN-12 AS AN ADJUVANT ON AUTOCLAVED LEISHMANIA VACCINE IN EXPERIMENTAL CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by an intracellular parasite of order Kinetoplastida, family Trypanosomatidae, genus Leishmania. In humans, infection with Leishmania results in a spectrum of disease depending upon the species involved and the efficiency of the host's immune response towards the parasite. A variety of clin ical presentations including cutaneous (CL), muco­ cutaneous (MCL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are well known forms. Except for the visceral variety, leishmaniasis is not associated with mortality, but sometimes produces d isabling lesions and disfigurement leading to social repulsion with its economic implications.