The culture of Leishmania donovani in Schneider's insect medium: its value in the diagnosis and management of patients with visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract

Schneider's insect culture medium, supplemented by the addition of 30% () heat-inactivated foetal bovine serum plus 100 IU penicillin and 100 μm streptomycin (final concentration per ml), is shown to be simple to use in the diagnosis and management of visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya. It is especially valuable because small numbers of parasites can be detected in this culture medium later during the course of treatment.