A comparative study of susceptibility of inbred and outbred mouse strains compared with hamsters to infection with New World cutaneous leishmaniases.

One stock of each of Leishmania mexicana mexicana and L. m. amazonensis together with two stocks of L. braziliensis panamensis and L. b. braziliensis were tested for infectivity in inbred mouse strains Balb/c and CBA/H. The infectivity was compared with hamsters and the outbred CD1 mice. Balb/c mice were more susceptible than hamsters to L. mexicana and L. braziliensis panamensis. Balb/c mice were not susceptible to L. b. braziliensis. CBA/H mice showed a low susceptibility to infection while CD1 mice showed an intermediate response.