immunological effects of leishmania major secretory and excre¬tory products on cutaneous leishmaniasis in balb/c mice

background: to evaluate the immunological properties of leishmania major excreted- secreted (e-s) products on the progress of leishmaniasis in susceptible balb/c mice. methods: promastigotes of the leishmania major were cultured and e-s products were collected during the culture preiod. groups of balb/c mice (n= 12) were immunized with e-s products or whole antigen. animals were challenged with promastigotes of stationary phase culture, then mortality was followed up to 6 months. in another group of animals drainage lymph nods cells were removed and cultured for cytokines assay. results: activity of acteylcholinesters (ache) and acid phosphatase (acp) incresed time dependently. using sds-page two major protein bands of 110 and 75 kda were seen on the gel. wound diameter in group receiving 24 h e-s products was significantly lower than the other experimental groups (p< 0.05). during the first 4 months of the follow up no mortality was seen in this group, but mortality was started in the second months of the challenge in other groups. the il-4 and il-10 level in whole ag group were significantly higher than the other groups. in cells from animals receiving 24 h e-s products the il-2 level was significantly higher than the other experimental groups (p< 0.05). also the ifn g level was significantly higher both in 24 h e-s and whole ag groups (p< 0.01). conclusion: the 24 h e-s group corresponded with small wounds, dominant th1 cytokines response and low level of mortality.