Optimization of conditions for in vitro cultivation of leishmaniasis pathogens

Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease that is caused by obligate intra-macrophage protozoa, is endemic in large areas of the tropics, subtropics and the Mediterranean basin. This disease is caused by more than 20 leishmanial species and is transmitted to humans by 30 different species of phlebotomine sandflies. In vitro cultivation of Leishmania parasites plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis, as well as in research into vaccine and drug development. The key requirement for vaccine development is the production of large quantities of promastigotes. Currently, creating an optimal nutrient medium that would facilitate this process is a major challenge. There are various types of media, most of which require fetal calf serum as an expensive supplement. Availability of serum is a problem in tropical and subtropical countries affected by leishmaniasis. There is also a risk of various contaminants in this serum. Several studies have been conducted on replacing fetal calf serum in the culture medium with various other components to reduce these problems. Urine from humans and other mammals has been reported to stimulate the growth of Leishmania species. Research has shown that the Leishmania parasite can grow and survive in the absence of serum as well as in a medium supplemented with serum and other biologically active ingredients.