acid-phosphatase and Toxoplasmosis

The peripheral blood lymphocytic activities of acid phosphatase (AP) and acid nonspecific esterase (ANE) (alpha-naphthylacetate esterase) were determined in 45 patients with chronic acquired toxoplasmosis on an exacerbation. There was a considerable increase in the activity of AP in the white blood cells, which being more pronounced in the monocytes. The activity of ANE was moderately enhanced in the lymphocytes. The determination of the leukocytic activities of AP and ANE may be used as additional tests in the diagnosis of an exacerbation of chronic acquired toxoplasmosis and in the evaluation of the efficiency of the treatment performed.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Adult; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Leukocytes; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Naphthol AS D Esterase; Neutrophils; Nitric Oxide; Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma antigen and Toxoplasma immune complex were shown to induce increased production and release of acid hydrolases from macrophage cell line P388D in a concentration-dependent manner. Antigen concentrations of 10-50 microg/ml gave a 2-4-fold increase in the activities of acid proteinase, acid phosphatase, and phospholipase A2 compared with control cells without antigen. Results were similar for immune complex concentrations of 30-80 microg/ml compared with controls. No significant lactate dehydrogenase activity was detected in the culture medium, indicating that enzyme release was selective and not due to cell death. These results suggest that increased release of acid hydrolases may play a role in the inflammatory lesions observed in Toxoplasma encephalitis.

Topics: Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Antigens, Protozoan; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Fibroblasts; Humans; Inflammation; Kinetics; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis

A protein with a molecular weight of 70,000 to 150,000 which was extracted from merozoites of Toxoplasma gondii enhanced the host cell penetration of the merozoites. The optimal pH and temperature for penetration of merozoites coincided with those favoring the action of the penetration-enhancing protein. In addition, a dependence on Ca and Mg existed for penetration of merozoites, either in the presence or absence of this protein. No evidence was found that indicated that the enhancing effect on penetration elicited by the protein was due to increased phagocytic capacity of host cells (HeLa) or improved motility of the merozoites. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the protein, in high concentration, caused disruption of cytoplasmic membranes. In a 100-fold-lower concentration, which still caused a marked enhancement of penetration, no such effect was observed. However, the vacuoles surrounding the penetrated parasites seemed smaller than for merozoites penetrating in cultures to which no penetration-enhancing factor was given, and the membranes limiting the vacuoles demonstrated discontinuities more often. The penetration-enchancing effect of some known enzymes was studies. However, none of these enzymes seemed to correspond to the penetration-enhancing protein of toxoplasma. The mode of entry of toxoplasma merozoites into host cells is discussed. It is concluded that phagocytosis must play a less important role and that merozoites actively penetrate the cytoplasmic membranes of the host cells. The penetration is proposed to be a result of combined mechanical and chemical actions. It is suggested that an enzymatic function of the penetration-enhancing factor released by the merozoites is of importance. The membrane limiting the vacuole of a penetrated merozoite seems to be newly formed in the cell after penetration is completed.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Cell Membrane; Cell Movement; Culture Techniques; Cytoplasm; Galactosidases; Glucuronidase; HeLa Cells; Humans; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Leukocytes; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Proteins; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Ascitic Fluid; Liver; Lysosomes; Mice; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Female; Histocytochemistry; Mice; Mononuclear Phagocyte System; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Exudates and Transudates; Mice; Research; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis, Animal