Isolation of DNA and RNA from Leishmania

The genus Leishmania includes species that are the causative agents of visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Infections caused by these organisms are common in both the Old and New Worlds, where they represent a major public health problem. As a result, Leishmania species have been the focus of much research effort aimed at the development of vaccines and novel chemotherapeutic and diagnostic reagents. The application of recombinant DNA techniques is now widespread.