Transmission of kala-azar to the Australian marsupials Trichosurus vulpecula and Pseudocheirus laniginosus

The results of inoculating twenty-five Australian marsupials of the family Phalangeridae, i.e., twenty-four specimens of trichosurus vulpecula and one Pseudocheirus laniginosus with Leishmania donovani are recorded. These marsupials were found to be susceptible to kala-azar; twenty-three out of the twenty-five animals were definitely infected. The experimental disease was established after a single injection of material containing either the flagellate (cultural) or the non-flagellate form of the parasite. For transmission of the non-flagellate form, blood from an infected animal was generally used. The established disease was of a chronic and progressive nature. Death resulted after periods varying from 3 to 24 months. The clinical manifestations included those of ophthalmic and nervous disease. Parasitic invasion of the eye and of the central nervous system was a common finding. This is in sharp contrast to human kala-azar and the recorded findings in experimental animals.