[Enzyme activity in Leishmania]. / Attività enzimatica delle Leishmanie.

ABSTRACT

Some enzymes produced by the protozoon Leishmania can have an important role in the intraphagocytic survival of the parasites. The production of hydrolytic enzymes by promastigotes belonging to two Leishmania sp. (major and infantum) and maintained in different experimental conditions was evaluated. The proteolytic activity was moderate, while superior was the production of acid phosphatase in L. infantum. An increase of the trypsin-like activity was observed after incubation of protozoa for 24 h at 37 degrees C, while a mouse injection did not changed the enzymatic activity of L. major.