There are a diversity of Leishmania species in the Amazon region responsible for cutaneous leismnaniasis and although a high occurence of the disease is known in the lower Amazon region, little information exists regarding the etiological agents. For this reason the present study has set out to characterise strains of Leishmania isolated from patients coming from this area by enzyme electroforesis, to confirm the presence of Leishmania species already recorded in other parts of Amazonia and to detect possible intraspecific variation. For identification of 43 isolate obtained, 7 reference-strains of Leishmania species from other regions of Pará were selected for comparison by way of isoenzyme eletrophoresis, using the seven enzymes 6PGDH, PGM, G6PD, MPI, ASAT e ALAT. The isolates had previously been examined by the indirect immunofluorescence teste (IFAT), using the biotin-avidin system and battery of 23 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). Identifications by the isoenzyme eletrophoresis were as follows: 20(46,50%) strains of L. (V) guyanensis, 11 (25,28%) of L. (V) braziliensis, 6 (13,950/0) of L. (V) lainsoni, 4 (9,300/0) of L. (V) shawi and 2 (4,60%) de L. (L.) amazonensis. Enzyme eletrophoresis, using the above mentioned enzymes proved of high value in identification. For the first time in the lower amazon region, it was possible to detect the occurence of intraspecific variation indicating the presence of 3 different serodemes among the strains of L. (V) braziliensis. Arnong the strains of L. (V) guyanensis there were observed two variants: one which showing reation against McAb B19, considered to be specific for this parasite, but with variation for the enzymes 6PGDH and PGM, and another with no reaction against McAb B19 but showed enzymatic profiles similar to the reference strain of that parasite, especially 6PGDH (but with 3 bands) and PGM, which are considered to be the best enzyme markers. The presence of all 5 dermotropic Leishmania spp. Already know to variably exist in other parts of north Brazil suggests sympatric transmission within the lower Amazon region of the present study.
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