Leishmania infantum: Lipophosphoglycan intraspecific variation and interaction with vertebrate and invertebrate hosts

► This novel work addresses the level of intraspecific variability in the lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania infantum. ► The polymorphism in this species was very low. ► It was found that there are three types of LPG in L. infantum.► All Leishmania parasites with different LPG types were able to sustain infection in Lutzomyia longipalpis. ► Higher nitric oxide production by murine macrophages was observed with LPG type II compared with types I and III.