Responses to Leishmania donovani in mice deficient in both phagocyte oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase

Mice deficient in phagocyte oxidase (phox) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which are primary macrophage killing mechanisms, generated tissue granulomas but showed unrestrained Leishmania donovani visceral replication and suboptimal initial responsiveness to antimony treatment. Nevertheless, visceral infection was controlled post-treatment and did not recur. A phox/iNOS-independent macrophage mechanism, which was not triggered by L. donovani, emerges after chemotherapy.