In 1958, attempts were made to transmit Leishmania donovani (Leveran & Mensnil) from dog to dog by the bite of Lutzomya longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva) in the State of Ceará, Brazil. Two young, healthy dogs (2-3 months old) were bitten by 31 laboratory reared sanflies fed previously on infected dogs; nine of the sandflies were later found to be infected with L. donovani, but none of the healthy dogs on which they fed became infected.