In vitro and ex vivo permissivity of hepatocytes for Leishmania donovani.

Using models of ex vivo infection of murine, rat, and human primary hepatocytes by Leishmania donovani, we showed that hepatocytes are permissive for Leishmania at a low level. We then modeled the in vitro infection of a human hepatoma-derived cell line to examine the parasite's capability to proliferate and to cause direct damage to hepatocytes. Results showed that L. donovani can infect hepatocytes, but do not massively proliferate. This slight infection under our experimental conditions resulted in limited damage to hepatocytes. These results bring into question a possible role for hepatocytes as a parasite reservoir during latent infection.