Montenegro skin tests in dogs experimentally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis

Human cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is distributed throughout much of tropical America. The parasite has been isolated from several species of wild mammals. The high incidence of canine infections suggests that domestic dogs could be reservoirs or link hosts for the human disease. In dogs, the use of Montenegro antigen to diagnose L. braziliensis infection has given inconsistent results. It is clear that on the cellular immunological processes of dogs infected with L. braziliensis require further critical study. The present communication records preliminary results.