[Distribution characteristics of Leishmania tropica major strains of differing virulence in natural and territorial complexes of the Murgab eco-area (southeastern Turkmenistan)].

In September--October of 1973 and 1974 263 specimens of Rhombomys opimus were shot in the territory of the Murghab stationar. The seeding of the material (a piece of tissue) from all animals into NNN medium was done. 9 strains of L. tropica major were isolated from this material the virulence of which was studied on 2.5--3 months--old golden hamsters, Cricetus auratus. Differences in the virulence of the isolated strains according to their natural-territorial complexes are shown. These differences depend apparently on the specific composition of the vectors. It is shown that the specific composition of sand flies as well as other epizootical characters are determined by the landscape of the territory where nidi of zoonosis cutaneous leishmaniasis are situated.