Is surface membrane acid phosphatase an essential requirement for the survival of Leishmania in macrophages ?

Abstract

The occurrence of acid phosphatase activity amongst the leishmanias has been investigated with the aim of determining whether the enzymes are adaptations for survival and growth in insect or mammals. The results of the study suggest that there are no marked differences between the acid phosphatase activity of L.major mid log and stationary phase promastigotes. The activities of both, however, differed considerably from those of L.tropica and L.donovani . In contrast to L.tropica and L.donovani, is the apparent lack of surface acid phosphatase on L.major, and so it is suggested that the surface enzyme is not essential for survival of all leishmanias in macrophage.