STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF HUMAN URINE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISHMANIA PARASITES IN VITRO

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania, is endemic in many parts of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In vitro culture of Leishmania parasites plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis, as well as in research into vaccine and drug development. Unfortunately, long-term cultivation of Leishmania parasites usually leads to a decrease in infectivity. Promastigotes maintained in vitro culture gradually lose their infectivity. Therefore, researchers are faced with the task of optimizing the culture medium to increase the infectivity and virulence of Leishmania parasites in vitro. Several studies have reported a stimulatory effect of human urine on Leishmania promastigotes. Human urine has been shown to increase the infectivity and proliferation of Leishmania parasites. The potential of urine to act as an alternative to expensive fetal bovine serum has also been investigated.