Objective: This study was planned with the aim of comparing the reproduction differences of Leishmania isolates, obtained from Turkey, on chocolate and blood agars, colony growth views on agar plates and to attain colonies from single cell to utilize for genetic studies.

Method: After preparation of blood agar and chocolate agar used in our study, the media were prepared by pouring into sterile petri dishes. The Leishmania isolates, used, were obtained from the ParasiteBank, located within our university. Genotyping was done by using primers and probes specific to ITS1 and hsp70. The isolates, separated according to species, were cultured in NNN medium and promastigotes were transferred to RPMI-1640 and were expected to enter into logarithmic-phase. Promastigotes entering logarithmic-phase were inoculated on chocolate and blood agar. Plates were transferred to 25°C and were controlled every other day.

Results: No growth was observed on chocolate agar on 7th day of incubation on plates, while colony size of Leishmania tropica, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani were found to have an average of 0.9 mm and mean colony size of Leishmania major was 0.8 mm on blood agar, On 28th day of cultivation, average colony size of L. tropica, L. major, L. infantum and L. donovani on chocolate agar was observed as 1.0 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively, while colony size on blood agar was determined as 3.1 mm, 3.1 mm, 3.3 mm and 3.0 mm, respectively.

Conclusion: On 7,14,21,28th days, colony size of all the strains were found to be better and their growth were faster on blood agar. It has been concluded that blood agar may be suitable for reproduction of Leishmania for genetic and other studies planned.