Figure 1

The route of parasite administration in experimental infections of L. donovani influenced disease pathology. (A) Groups of five mice were infected with either day five (intraperitoneal and intravenous delivery) or day seven (subcutaneous) stationary-phase transgenic luciferase-expressing L. donovani promastigote cultures at the indicated doses. Parasite loads were quantified at the indicated times by administering the luciferase substrate, luciferin, and the animals imaged using an IVIS instrument. Three representative animals from the group are shown and are arranged so that the infection dynamics can be followed in each individual animal throughout the course of the infection. The route of parasite administration and dose influenced the progression of the infection. (B) Parasite loads were separately quantified in the liver or spleen by defining these organs as shown and measuring the associated bioluminescence. (C) Liver bioluminescence increased over time following luciferin injection, peaked at between 10 to 20 minutes before a steady decrease in signal over the next hour. Data points represent means ± S.E.M. (n = 5, from individual mice).